Editing Zero no Tsukaima:Volume2 Chapter4
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | + | '''Chapter 4 Port City La Rochelle''' |
|
− | Although dawn had just broken, Saito, Guiche and Louise had already started preparing the saddles for their horses. Slung |
+ | Although dawn had just broken, Saito, Guiche and Louise had already started preparing the saddles for their horses. Slung on the back of Saito was Derflinger. Because of its length, |
it could not be attached to the waist. |
it could not be attached to the waist. |
||
− | Louise was dressed in her academy uniform, the only difference |
+ | Louise was dressed in her academy uniform, the only difference is that she now wore horse riding boots instead of shoes. Judging from that, looks like a great deal of time would be spending on riding the horse. |
− | + | "How far would Albion would be from here? I'm still not used to riding a horse... Most probably my waist will ache from the riding..." She thought to herself. |
|
− | Just before setting off, Guiche spoke rather |
+ | Just before setting off, Guiche spoke in a rather awkward manner. |
"I have a request..." |
"I have a request..." |
||
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
"Do you have a familiar in the first place?" |
"Do you have a familiar in the first place?" |
||
− | "Of course I |
+ | "Of course I have. All magicians have one." |
Louise and Saito looked at each other, then looked at Guiche again. |
Louise and Saito looked at each other, then looked at Guiche again. |
||
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
"Where's your familiar now?" |
"Where's your familiar now?" |
||
− | "Here." Guiche replied while pointing |
+ | "Here." Guiche replied while pointing onto the ground. |
− | "But there's nothing on the ground |
+ | "But there's nothing on the ground." Louise said. |
Guiche responded by tapping his feet on the ground. Just then, a giant brown creature popped out of the ground. |
Guiche responded by tapping his feet on the ground. Just then, a giant brown creature popped out of the ground. |
||
Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
"Verdandi! Oh, my cute Verdandi!" |
"Verdandi! Oh, my cute Verdandi!" |
||
− | Saito, dumbfounded |
+ | Saito, dumbfounded asked, "What in the world is that creature?" |
− | "What |
+ | "What you mean creature? This is my cute little familiar Verdandi." |
− | "You mean that your familiar is that big thing over |
+ | "You mean that your familiar is that big thing over here?" |
− | Upon closer inspection, that giant brown creature |
+ | Upon closer inspection, that giant brown creature is actually a mole with a size equivalent to a small bear. |
"Yes. Ahh... My Verdandi, you look so cute from any angle I look. Have you eaten your meal of earthworms before you arrived here?" |
"Yes. Ahh... My Verdandi, you look so cute from any angle I look. Have you eaten your meal of earthworms before you arrived here?" |
||
Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
“But we're going to Albion! We can't bring creatures that move underground!.” Louise explained. |
“But we're going to Albion! We can't bring creatures that move underground!.” Louise explained. |
||
− | Guiche, upon hearing that, knelt onto the ground and replied, “I cannot bear the separation with my dear Verdandi... Oh! The |
+ | Guiche, upon hearing that, knelt onto the ground and replied, “I cannot bear with the separation with my dear Verdandi... Oh! The Pain...” |
− | At the same time, the giant mole seemed to pick up some scent from its nose and |
+ | At the same time, the giant mole seemed to pick up some scent from its nose and approached nearer and nearer to Louise. |
− | “What is this stupid |
+ | “What is this stupid Mole trying to do!?” |
− | “Like |
+ | “Like familiar, like Master. They both share the same interest – girls.” Saito said. |
“Stop! Stop this right now!” |
“Stop! Stop this right now!” |
||
Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
“Such an irritating pest!” |
“Such an irritating pest!” |
||
− | “Please don't call Verdandi an irritating pest. It's because of me that Verdandi searches for precious stones and jewels. For |
+ | “Please don't call Verdandi an irritating pest. It's because of me that Verdandi searches for precious stones and jewels. For a Earth magician, there's nothing more helpful than this.” |
− | Just as Louise was preparing to blow her top, a sudden gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew away Verdandi. |
+ | Just as Louise was preparing to blow her top, a sudden gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew away Verdandi. |
− | “Who is that!?” Guiche shouted agitatedly. |
+ | “Who is that!?”, Guiche shouted agitatedly. |
A rather stout looking noble wearing a feathered cap appeared out of the faint daylight behind him. Saito looked rather surprised. |
A rather stout looking noble wearing a feathered cap appeared out of the faint daylight behind him. Saito looked rather surprised. |
||
Line 110: | Line 110: | ||
“I'm not your enemy. I'm under the orders of the highness to accompany you on your journey. The princess is worried about just having you few going to Albion, but then again sending a whole troop of soldiers with you will be too conspicuous. Therefore, I was appointed to accompany you all on this journey.” The noble said while taking off his feather cap and bowing. |
“I'm not your enemy. I'm under the orders of the highness to accompany you on your journey. The princess is worried about just having you few going to Albion, but then again sending a whole troop of soldiers with you will be too conspicuous. Therefore, I was appointed to accompany you all on this journey.” The noble said while taking off his feather cap and bowing. |
||
− | “I'm the captain of the Griffin Knights |
+ | “I'm the captain of the Griffin Knights (1), Viscount Wald.” |
The grumbling Guiche quickly shut his mouth. For most of the nobles, Guiche included, being able to join the Griffin Knights meant great prestige. |
The grumbling Guiche quickly shut his mouth. For most of the nobles, Guiche included, being able to join the Griffin Knights meant great prestige. |
||
− | + | Wald looked at Guiche and spoke in a apologetic manner. “Sorry for what I did to your familiar. I couldn't stand watching my fiance being harassed.” |
|
“What!?” |
“What!?” |
||
Line 120: | Line 120: | ||
Saito was shocked. |
Saito was shocked. |
||
− | + | “Fiance?” |
|
− | “This majestic looking noble is Louise' |
+ | “This majestic looking noble is Louise's fiance???” |
− | + | “Viscount...” Louise spoke in a trembling voice after standing up. |
|
“It's been such a long time. My Louise, my dear Louise.” |
“It's been such a long time. My Louise, my dear Louise.” |
||
− | + | “My Louise??? What kind of joke is that?” Saito thought to himself. |
|
− | + | Wald approached Louise and with a beaming smile on his face, carried Louise up. |
|
“It's really been such a long time.” Louise said with her face turning red with embarrassment. |
“It's really been such a long time.” Louise said with her face turning red with embarrassment. |
||
Line 138: | Line 138: | ||
“Viscount... please don't be like this... There are people over here...” |
“Viscount... please don't be like this... There are people over here...” |
||
− | + | Wald, who placed Louise back down and wore back his hat said, “Care to introduce your companions to me?” |
|
− | “Erm... That is Guiche de Gramont and my familiar, Saito.” said Louise while pointing at them while she was introducing them to |
+ | “Erm... That is Guiche de Gramont and my familiar, Saito.” said Louise while pointing at them while she was introducing them to Wald. Guiche who did not dare at Wald directly, lowered his head. Saito followed suit but a bit unwillingly though. |
− | + | Wald said with a rather surprised look on his face, “Are you Louise's familiar? This is the first time I've seen a human being a familiar.” |
|
− | “Thank you for taking such good care of my |
+ | “Thank you for taking such good care of my fiance.” |
− | "You're welcome. |
+ | "You're welcome.” |
− | Saito took the opportunity to size up |
+ | Saito took the opportunity to size up Wald. Wald was indeed handsome. Even though Guiche could also be considered a bishonen (2) himself, he is always making a fool out of himself and making irrational decisions. He could even rub his own cheek with a giant mole. |
− | However for |
+ | However for Wald, not only he has the looks. His eyes are like that of an eagle – Keen and Sharp. The mustache which he has further enhances his suaveness. |
− | In addition he |
+ | In addition he has a muscular and well built body. Saito had originally thought that all male magicians would have a body like Guiche, but he was proven wrong. Even in hand to hand combat with Wald with the use of magic, Saito could be subdued in seconds. |
− | Thinking about all that, Saito gave a deep and long sigh. |
+ | Thinking about all that, Saito gave a deep and long sigh. Wald seeing that, approached Saito and gave a pat on his shoulders. |
− | “What's wrong? Are you having doubts about this trip? There's nothing to be afraid of! Aren't you the one who caught Fouquet of the |
+ | “What's wrong? Are you having doubts about this trip? There's nothing to be afraid of! Aren't you the one who caught Fouquet of the crumbling earth? With your courage alone, nothing is impossible.” |
− | + | Wald who had finished said that, gave a broad smile. With that, Saito felt a tinge of remorsefulness. |
|
− | + | 'Is he really that good of a person? I don't that I can compare with him in any aspect. That's right. I think Louise would be married to him soon... Just thinking of that has made me alone and empty...” |
|
− | Louise |
+ | Louise who has not able to calm down due to Wald's appearance, was feeling restless with anxiety. Saito who did not want to see Louise that way, turned his head away. |
− | + | Wald gave a whistle, and a griffin appeared out from the morning clouds. It was mythical beast with the head of a eagle and a body of a lion. And on its back was wings that were made up of beautiful white feathers. |
|
− | + | Wald had climbed to the back of the griffin with grace, and then extended a hand to Louise. |
|
“Come over, my Louise.” |
“Come over, my Louise.” |
||
− | Louise lowered her head in hesitation and bashfulness, just like a girl who is in love. This made Saito even more jealous. |
+ | Louise lowered her head in hesitation and bashfulness , just like a girl who is in love. This made Saito even more jealous. |
− | + | What does he think he's doing? “Come over, my Louise?” Your Louise!? Your Louise!? What an obnoxious freak!' |
|
− | Saito being a male, had to keep those thoughts to himself and went up |
+ | Saito being a male, had to keep those thoughts to himself and went up the horse in silence in the end. |
− | Louise |
+ | Louise whom was still hesitating, was suddenly carried up the griffin by Wald. |
− | + | Wald with one hand on the reins and another with is wand shouted, “Well everybody, onwards!” |
|
− | The griffin moved forward. Following behind it |
+ | The griffin moved forward. Following behind it was Guiche who was full of admiration for Wald and Saito was feeling very down and dejected. |
Saito thought to himself while staring at the blank sky. |
Saito thought to himself while staring at the blank sky. |
||
− | + | "How far would it be to Albion?" |
|
+ | From the headmaster's office window, Henrietta was Saito and group departing for Albion. Closing her eyes, she starting praying... |
||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | From the headmaster's office window, Henrietta was watching Saito and group departing for Albion. Closing her eyes, she starting praying... |
||
“Founder Brimir, please grant them protection throughout their journey...” |
“Founder Brimir, please grant them protection throughout their journey...” |
||
Line 198: | Line 194: | ||
“You aren't going to see them off, headmaster Osman?” |
“You aren't going to see them off, headmaster Osman?” |
||
− | “No, |
+ | “No, As you can see, I'm busy trimming my nasal hair, your highness.” |
Henrietta shook her head in disapproval. |
Henrietta shook her head in disapproval. |
||
Line 204: | Line 200: | ||
Just then, someone knocked at the door. |
Just then, someone knocked at the door. |
||
− | “Enter |
+ | “Enter.”, said the headmaster. |
Mr. Colbert entered room with an anxious look on his face. |
Mr. Colbert entered room with an anxious look on his face. |
||
Line 216: | Line 212: | ||
“Hmm...” said Osman while stroking his beard. |
“Hmm...” said Osman while stroking his beard. |
||
− | “According to the guard who was on duty that time, some noble knocked him out using wind magic. The person used the opportunity that most of the manpower was diverted to protect the princess to help Fouquet escape! This means that someone inside is a spy! Isn't that bad news?” |
+ | “According to the guard who was on duty that time, some noble knocked him out using wind magic. The person used the opportunity that most of the manpower was diverted to protect the princess to help Fouquet escape! This means that someone inside is a spy! Isn't that bad news?” |
− | Henrietta |
+ | Henrietta face turned pale upon hearing the news. |
Headmaster Osman made a gesture to Mr. Colbert asking him to leave. |
Headmaster Osman made a gesture to Mr. Colbert asking him to leave. |
||
Line 224: | Line 220: | ||
“Okay. Okay. We'll hear further details from you later.” |
“Okay. Okay. We'll hear further details from you later.” |
||
− | After Mr. Colbert left, Henrietta placed her hands on the table |
+ | After Mr. Colbert left, Henrietta placed her hands on the table a sighed deeply. |
− | “We have a spy in our midst. This must be the doings of the Albion nobility!” |
+ | “We have a spy in our midst. This must be the doings of the Albion nobility!” |
− | “Maybe it is... OUCH!” said the headmaster while trimming his nasal hair. Henrietta looked at him helplessly. |
+ | “Maybe it is... OUCH!”, said the headmaster while trimming his nasal hair. Henrietta looked at him helplessly. |
− | + | “Why can you still be so relaxed? The future of Tristan is at stake!” |
|
“The opponent has already made his move. All we can do now is to wait, isn't it?” |
“The opponent has already made his move. All we can do now is to wait, isn't it?” |
||
Line 238: | Line 234: | ||
“It's all right. If it's him, he'll be able to cope with any problems they'll face during their journey.” |
“It's all right. If it's him, he'll be able to cope with any problems they'll face during their journey.” |
||
− | “The person you're |
+ | “The person you're saying it's Guiche? Or Viscount Wald?” |
The headmaster shook his head. |
The headmaster shook his head. |
||
− | “Don't tell me that person is Louise's familiar. How could that be possible |
+ | “Don't tell me that person is Louise's familiar. How could that be possible! Isn't he just a commoner?” |
“Your highness, have you heard of the story of Founder Brimir before?” |
“Your highness, have you heard of the story of Founder Brimir before?” |
||
Line 248: | Line 244: | ||
“I have read most of the story...” |
“I have read most of the story...” |
||
− | + | “The headmaster smiled and replied, “Then do you know about Gandalfr?” |
|
“Isn't that Founder Brimir's strongest familiar? Don't tell me...” |
“Isn't that Founder Brimir's strongest familiar? Don't tell me...” |
||
− | At this point of time, Headmaster Osman felt that he had already divulged too much. Regarding the secret of |
+ | At this point of time, Headmaster Osman felt that he had already divulged too much. Regarding the secret of “Gandalfr” he always wanted to keep that to himself. Although he trust Henrietta, but he did not want to Royal family to know about Gandalfr yet. |
− | “Yes, |
+ | “Yes, He's as strong and capable as Gandalfr and furthermore, he's comes from another world different from us.” |
“Another world?” |
“Another world?” |
||
− | “That's right. He comes from a world different from Halkeginia. Or I should say, from a place not on Halkeginia. I |
+ | “That's right. He comes from a world different from Halkeginia. Or I should say, from a place not on Halkeginia. I had always believed that this youth from another world will succeed. That's also the reason that I'm so carefree even during these perilous times .” |
− | “Another world different from Halkeginia really exists...” |
+ | “Another world different from Halkeginia really does exists...” |
− | |||
− | Henrietta gazed far away. The sensation of the youth's lip still lingered on Henrietta's lips. Touching her lips with her fingertips, she closed her eyes, smiled and said, |
||
+ | Henrietta gazed far away. The sensation of the youth's lip still lingered on Henrietta's lips. Touching her lips with her fingertips, she closing her eyes, she smiled and said. |
||
“Let me pray then, for the breeze that comes from another world.” |
“Let me pray then, for the breeze that comes from another world.” |
||
+ | It would take two days to reach Port City La Rochelle by horse from Tristan. The port city, is situated on a deep and narrow gorge. Because of this, it has a small population of three hundred. As La Rochelle is the gateway to Albion, the number of travelers is ten times more than the local population. |
||
+ | Boulders could be seen on both sides of the narrow mountain pathway. People had carved holes in the boulders, turning them into taverns and shops. Although the buildings look ordinary, however, upon closer inspection, one can realize that all the buildings are carved out of a single rock, a feat done by Square ranked earth mages. |
||
+ | On the narrow street, it appears to be dark even though it was afternoon due to the gorges blocking the sunlight. If one makes a turn on the street, they can see an even narrower street leading to a bar. |
||
+ | On the signboard resembling a keg of wine, the shop's name is written – “Golden Wine Barrel Bar”. However, nothing in the shop resembles its name; the shop is just as dilapidated like an abandoned house. Piles of ruined chairs could be seen piling next to the door. |
||
+ | Most of the patrons are gangsters and mercenaries. When drunk, they often fight over the smallest of things like staring incidents or minor squabbles. |
||
− | It would take two days to reach Port City La Rochelle by horse from Tristain. The port city was situated on a deep and narrow gorge and because of this, it had a small population of three hundred. As La Rochelle was the gateway to Albion, the number of travelers was ten times more than the local population. |
||
− | |||
− | Boulders could be seen on both sides of the narrow mountain pathway. People had carved holes in the boulders, turning them into taverns and shops. Although the buildings looked ordinary, upon closer inspection one could realize that all of them were carved out of a single rock, a feat done by Square ranked earth mages. |
||
− | |||
− | On the narrow street, it appeared to be dark even though it was afternoon due to the gorges blocking the sunlight. If one made a turn on the street, they could see an even narrower street leading to a bar. |
||
− | |||
− | On the signboard resembling a keg of wine, the shop's name was written – “Golden Wine Barrel Bar”. However, nothing in the shop resembled its name; the shop was dilapidated like an abandoned house. Piles of ruined chairs could be seen piling next to the door. |
||
− | |||
− | Most of the patrons were gangsters and mercenaries. When drunk, they would often fight over the smallest of things like staring incidents or minor squabbles. |
||
− | Whenever they |
+ | Whenever they fight, they fight with their weapons. Therefore, it is common to see people dead or seriously injured in side the bar. The shopkeeper, not wanting to see any more injuries and deaths, put up a notice inside the shop. |
− | “Please use the chairs when you fight in here.” |
+ | “Please use the chairs when you are going to fight in here.” |
− | From the notice, the customers could feel the shopkeeper |
+ | From the notice, the customers could feel the shopkeeper helplessness. So they started to use the chairs instead of their weapons when they are fighting each other. Even though there are still casualties, but no one was killed anymore. From then on, chairs that were destroyed during fights are piled next to the door. |
− | Today, |
+ | Today, “Golden Wine Barrel Bar” is filled with patrons as usual. Almost all the patrons are mercenaries returning from Albion which was in an internal strife. |
“The king of Albion is finished!” |
“The king of Albion is finished!” |
||
Line 294: | Line 285: | ||
“If so, let us offer a toast to the republic!” |
“If so, let us offer a toast to the republic!” |
||
− | The people offering toasts to themselves were formerly mercenaries hired by the royalist to fight along side with them. However, faced with the imminent defeat of their clients, they all decided to retreat back here. This |
+ | The people offering toasts to themselves were formerly mercenaries hired by the royalist to fight along side with them. However, faced with the imminent defeat of their clients, they all decided to retreat back here. This is not considered to be a dishonorable act. As mercenaries, they value their lives more than their beliefs, and so they are not obliged to fight to their death for their clients. |
− | As they were drinking, the bar's door opened |
+ | As they were drinking, the bar's door opened. A rather tall lady had entered the bar. The hood the lady had worn covered most of her face except the lower part of her face. However, from just the lower part of her face, one can already be sure about her beauty. As it was rare for such an attractive lady to come to such a place alone, all eyes on the bar were already on her. |
− | The lady, unfazed by all the eyes |
+ | The lady, unfazed by all the eyes starting on her, ordered some wine and food and sat on a table in a corner of the bar. After the food was served, she promptly paid up. |
− | “That... |
+ | “That...That's a lot of money. Is it really all right?” |
“That includes lodging. Do you have any empty rooms?” |
“That includes lodging. Do you have any empty rooms?” |
||
Line 310: | Line 301: | ||
“That's right! There are lots of dangerous characters around. Don't worry though, we'll be here to protect you.” |
“That's right! There are lots of dangerous characters around. Don't worry though, we'll be here to protect you.” |
||
− | With a vile smile on |
+ | With a vile smile on this face, one of them lifted up the lady's hood. Whistles and catcalls could be heard once the hood was removed. The lady was quite a beauty, with her beautiful eyes and elegant nose. |
− | This beautiful lady |
+ | This beautiful lady is none other than Fouquet of the crumbling earth. |
“She's really top notch! Look at her skin! It's as white as ivory!” |
“She's really top notch! Look at her skin! It's as white as ivory!” |
||
Line 324: | Line 315: | ||
Even with the dagger pointed on her face, Fouquet showed no fear. With a slight movement, she reached for a wand. |
Even with the dagger pointed on her face, Fouquet showed no fear. With a slight movement, she reached for a wand. |
||
− | In |
+ | In a instant, she chanted her incantations. With that, the dagger that the man held turned into earth and settled onto the table. |
“She's.. she's a noble!” |
“She's.. she's a noble!” |
||
− | The men immediately |
+ | The men immediately back away from her. As Fouquet was not wearing a cloak (3),none of them knew that she was a magician. |
− | “Even though I'm a magician, I'm not a noble |
+ | “Even though I'm a magician, I'm not a noble.”, Fouquet said nonchalantly. |
“Most of you are mercenaries right?” |
“Most of you are mercenaries right?” |
||
Line 336: | Line 327: | ||
The male patrons looked at each other. If she was not a noble, their lives would not be endangered. If they had done that to a noble, they would be killed without any qualms. |
The male patrons looked at each other. If she was not a noble, their lives would not be endangered. If they had done that to a noble, they would be killed without any qualms. |
||
− | “Yes... And you are...?” a veteran of the group replied. |
+ | “Yes... And you are...?”, a veteran of the group replied. |
“It doesn't matter. In short, I'm here to hire all of you.” |
“It doesn't matter. In short, I'm here to hire all of you.” |
||
Line 348: | Line 339: | ||
“No. That's not what I meant. You have gold, don't you?” |
“No. That's not what I meant. You have gold, don't you?” |
||
− | Fouquet placed a bag full of gold onto the table. After inspecting the contents of the bag, the veteran said, |
+ | Fouquet placed a bag full of gold onto the table. After inspecting the contents of the bag , the veteran said,” Wow...Aren't this Ecu Gold?” |
The bar's door opened again. This time, a man wearing a white mask had entered the bar. He was the same man who had helped Fouquet escape from prison. |
The bar's door opened again. This time, a man wearing a white mask had entered the bar. He was the same man who had helped Fouquet escape from prison. |
||
Line 354: | Line 345: | ||
“Well, aren't you early.” |
“Well, aren't you early.” |
||
− | Fouquet seeing that man, gave a low “Hmm” as a reply. The mercenaries, seeing that man |
+ | Fouquet seeing that man, gave a low “Hmm” as a reply. The mercenaries, seeing that man peculiar dressing, were all quite surprised. |
− | “They have started on their journey |
+ | “They have started on their journey.”, the masked man said. |
“I have done what you had told me to and hired all these men.” |
“I have done what you had told me to and hired all these men.” |
||
Line 361: | Line 352: | ||
The man in the white mask gave a once over at the mercenaries that Fouquet had hired. |
The man in the white mask gave a once over at the mercenaries that Fouquet had hired. |
||
− | “All of you were formerly employed by the Albion |
+ | “All of you were formerly employed by the Albion royalist. Am I right?” |
− | “That was until last month |
+ | “That was until last month.”, one of the mercenaries replied with glee. |
− | “But the soon to be defeated |
+ | “But the soon to be defeated royalist aren't our employers anymore.” |
The mercenaries laughed in unison. The man in the white mask laughed as well. |
The mercenaries laughed in unison. The man in the white mask laughed as well. |
||
Line 371: | Line 362: | ||
“I'll fulfill all your monetary desires. However, I'm not like the soon to be defeated royalists, if anyone dares to run away from battle, I'll kill him myself.” |
“I'll fulfill all your monetary desires. However, I'm not like the soon to be defeated royalists, if anyone dares to run away from battle, I'll kill him myself.” |
||
+ | Since departing from the magical academy, Wald's griffin has been endlessly moving towards their destination. Even though the rest of the group have already changed their mount twice, Wald's griffin just like its master, appeared to be tireless. |
||
+ | “Hold on, isn't the pace too fast for us?”, Louise whom was on Wald's griffin asked. Over the duration of the journey, Louise spoke in a more informal manner to Wald then when they were reunited. But that was also party due to the Viscount's request. |
||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | Since departing from the magical academy, Wardes' griffin had been endlessly moving towards their destination. Even though the rest of the group had already changed their mount twice, Wardes' griffin, just like its master, appeared to be tireless. |
||
− | |||
− | “Hold on, isn't the pace too fast for us?” Louise, who was on Wardes' griffin, asked. Over the duration of the journey, Louise spoke in a more informal manner to Wardes than when they were reunited. But that was also partly due to the Viscount's request. |
||
“Guiche and Saito are already on the brink of exhaustion.” |
“Guiche and Saito are already on the brink of exhaustion.” |
||
− | + | Wald turned back and looked at Guiche and Saito. Just like Louise had said, both of them were holding their reins tightly in fear of falling off. From the looks of it, both of them would collapse from exhaustion before the horses would. |
|
“But I had originally planned to journey to port city La Rochelle without stopping...” |
“But I had originally planned to journey to port city La Rochelle without stopping...” |
||
Line 389: | Line 376: | ||
“If that's the case, why don't we just leave them behind?” |
“If that's the case, why don't we just leave them behind?” |
||
− | “We can't do |
+ | “We can't do this!” |
“Why?” |
“Why?” |
||
Line 397: | Line 384: | ||
“You seem protective of them both. Which one is your sweetheart?” |
“You seem protective of them both. Which one is your sweetheart?” |
||
− | Louise |
+ | Louise face immediately turned red and replied, “What... What sweetheart!?” |
− | “That sets my heart |
+ | “That sets my heart in ease. If my fiance tells me that she already has sweetheart, I would die of a broken heart.”, replied Wald with a smile. |
“But that was only something that our parents had agreed on.” |
“But that was only something that our parents had agreed on.” |
||
Line 405: | Line 392: | ||
“Then, do you dislike me, my small and dainty Louise?” |
“Then, do you dislike me, my small and dainty Louise?” |
||
− | “Please, I'm not young anymore |
+ | “Please, I'm not young anymore.” Louise replied pouting. |
“But in my eyes, you're forever that small and dainty Louise.” |
“But in my eyes, you're forever that small and dainty Louise.” |
||
− | Louise remembered that dream that she |
+ | Louise remembered that dream that she had a few day back, where she back in the courtyard of her home, La Vallière. |
The secret boat on the forgotten lake... |
The secret boat on the forgotten lake... |
||
+ | Whenever she was throwing a tantrum there, Wald would anyways be there to pacify her. |
||
− | |||
− | Whenever she was throwing a tantrum there, Wardes would always be there to pacify her. |
||
The marriage that was decided by her parents. |
The marriage that was decided by her parents. |
||
− | The betrothal that was decided since |
+ | The betrothal that was decided since young. The one that she would be married to. Her fiance. |
− | At that time, she still did not fully understand what was going on. She only knew that |
+ | At that time, she still did not fully understand what was going on. She only knew that so long she was with the man she had admired, she would be happy. |
− | But now, she finally understood everything. She would be married to |
+ | But now, she finally understood everything. She would be married to Wald. |
− | “I don't dislike you |
+ | “I don't dislike you.”, Louise replied with a tinge of embarrassment. |
“That's wonderful, in other words, you like me?” |
“That's wonderful, in other words, you like me?” |
||
− | + | Wald gently hugged Louise's shoulders. |
|
“I have never forgotten about you even after all this time. Do you still remember? After my father's death during the lancer campaign?” |
“I have never forgotten about you even after all this time. Do you still remember? After my father's death during the lancer campaign?” |
||
Line 433: | Line 419: | ||
Louise nodded her head. |
Louise nodded her head. |
||
− | + | Wald began to reminisce and narrated to Louise about the past. |
|
− | “My mother had passed away earlier, I inherited my father's estate and title. Wanting to make a name for myself, I went to the capital. Fortunately, the highness had a deep impression of my father who had perished in the battlefield, I was incorporated into the Griffin |
+ | “My mother had passed away earlier, I inherited my father's estate and title. Wanting to make a name for myself, I went to the capital. Fortunately, the highness had a deep impression of my father who had perished in the battlefield, I was incorporated into the Griffin knights. I had entered the Griffin knight as a trainee, training was tough then. |
− | “From then on, you seldom went back to your estate again |
+ | “From then on, you seldom went back to your estate again.” replied Louise while closing her eyes. She too seemed to be immersed in her memories. |
− | “My house and estate |
+ | “My house and estate was taken cared by butler Galgann, while I put all my effort serving the nation. After so long, I finally made a name for myself, accomplishing what I had decided upon leaving my homeland.” |
− | “What was |
+ | “What was that you have decided upon?” |
“To ask your hand for marriage once I have made a name for myself.” |
“To ask your hand for marriage once I have made a name for myself.” |
||
Line 447: | Line 433: | ||
“You're kidding right, Viscount? You're so popular among the girls, you have no need to honor your promise to such an insignificant me.” |
“You're kidding right, Viscount? You're so popular among the girls, you have no need to honor your promise to such an insignificant me.” |
||
− | About |
+ | About Wald's betrothal. Louise had cleanly forgotten it until she had that dream a few days back. The bridal pact to Wald was all but a fleeting dream. In her opinion, it was only a agreement made on a whim. |
− | After |
+ | After Wald had left his estate ten years ago, Louise had never seen him again. Wald had already became part of her distant memory. Distant memories had suddenly became reality. |
− | “This journey is a good chance for us to regain those |
+ | “This journey is a good chance for us to regain those feeling we had when you were young.”, Wald said with a gentle and calm tone. |
− | Louise thought to herself, do I really love |
+ | Louise thought to herself, do I really love Wald? |
− | Even though she did not dislike him and she did admire him when she was young, that was all in the past. |
+ | Even though she did not dislike him and she did admire him when she was young, but that was all in the past. |
− | Suddenly faced with a |
+ | Suddenly faced with a fiance and probably marriage, she did not know what to do. Furthermore, they have been apart for so many years, she did not really know weather if she still has any feelings for him. |
Louise turned her head and looked behind. |
Louise turned her head and looked behind. |
||
− | She saw Saito prostrating on the horse, |
+ | She saw Saito prostrating on the horse, looks like he is nearly reached his limit. Louise pouted her lips. Good for nothing! She as soon as she though of that, she became anxious and her heart pounded furiously. |
− | “We have already been on |
+ | “We have already been on the horse for nearly a whole day, doesn't he get tired? Are those griffin knights monsters?” Guiche who was also lifelessly slouching on the horse asked. |
− | “Who knows?” Saito replied |
+ | “Who knows?” Saito replied in lethargic manner. He felt embittered each time Wald touched Louise. He touched her again.. This time hugging her by the shoulder... What is that guy up to... Even though you're Louise fiance, even though I have no right to stop you, you should have at least done it somewhere else where I could not see... |
Each time Saito thought of that, he became more tired and his heart became heavier. |
Each time Saito thought of that, he became more tired and his heart became heavier. |
||
− | Guiche |
+ | Guiche looking at Saito in such a state, began teasing him. “Heh heh... Don't tell me you're jealous?” Guiche said with a snicker. |
“Ah! What are you implying?” |
“Ah! What are you implying?” |
||
− | “I guessed it correctly |
+ | “I guessed it correctly? Didn't I?” Guiche laughed even harder. |
“Shut your mouth, mole boy!” |
“Shut your mouth, mole boy!” |
||
− | “Mwahaha... You actually carried a love for |
+ | “Mwahaha... You actually carried a love for you master that would never flower? To tell you honestly, love between people of different status will only result in tragedy.” |
“Stop talking nonsense! How could I ever like such a person like her? I admit that she's cute. However, she has an extremely bad character.” |
“Stop talking nonsense! How could I ever like such a person like her? I admit that she's cute. However, she has an extremely bad character.” |
||
Line 483: | Line 469: | ||
Guiche suddenly looked to the front and exclaimed, “Look! They're kissing!” |
Guiche suddenly looked to the front and exclaimed, “Look! They're kissing!” |
||
− | Saito |
+ | Saito shocked, immediately turned to the front. However, Wald and Louise did not kiss. |
He then looked again at Guiche. Guiche was barely controlling his laughter. |
He then looked again at Guiche. Guiche was barely controlling his laughter. |
||
− | “Arggh!” Saito shouted and pounced on Guiche. Both of |
+ | “Arggh!” Saito shouted and pounced on Guiche. Both of the fell off their horses and began fighting each other on the ground. |
− | “Hey! If you guys continue fighting, I'll have to leave you both behind!” |
+ | “Hey! If you guys continue fighting, I'll have to leave you both behind!” Wald shouted. |
− | Guiche quickly got back on the horse. Meanwhile, Saito |
+ | Guiche quickly got back on the horse. Meanwhile, Saito realizing that Louise was looking at himself, turned his head away. |
− | As they |
+ | As they have been traveling on full speed and exchanged their tired horse for fresh ones several times, they reached the outskirts of La Rochelle by nightfall. Saito looked around in astonishment. Aren't we approaching a port? Why do I still see mountains everywhere? Maybe once we cross this mountain we should be able to see the ocean. |
− | |||
− | Saito looked around in astonishment. ''Aren't we approaching a port? Why do I still see mountains everywhere? Maybe once we cross this mountain we should be able to see the ocean.'' |
||
Traveling under the moonlight, Saito and the group finally saw a narrow mountain pathway. Buildings which were carved from boulders could be seen on both sides of the pathway. |
Traveling under the moonlight, Saito and the group finally saw a narrow mountain pathway. Buildings which were carved from boulders could be seen on both sides of the pathway. |
||
Line 501: | Line 485: | ||
“Why is a port built on top of a mountain?” |
“Why is a port built on top of a mountain?” |
||
− | Hearing Saito asking, Guiche replied |
+ | Hearing Saito asking, Guiche replied in a sarcastic manner. “Don't tell me that you don't even know where Albion is?” |
− | Although Saito and Guiche |
+ | Although Saito and Guiche are nearly reaching their physical limits, the thought of 'Once we reach town we can finally rest.' gave them the strength of engage in small talk. |
− | + | “Yes, I don't know.” |
|
“Really?” Guiche replied with laughter. But Saito did not laugh. |
“Really?” Guiche replied with laughter. But Saito did not laugh. |
||
− | |||
“I have no common knowledge of this world and please don't assume that I do.” |
“I have no common knowledge of this world and please don't assume that I do.” |
||
− | Suddenly |
+ | Suddenly from top of the cliff, torches there thrown at the their horses. The burning torches illuminated the ravine that they were about to cross. |
“What's... What's happening !?” Guiche cried. |
“What's... What's happening !?” Guiche cried. |
||
− | The |
+ | The burning torches had frightened the horses and thew Saito and Guiche off its backs. |
As they fell, a hail of arrows showered upon them. |
As they fell, a hail of arrows showered upon them. |
||
Line 521: | Line 504: | ||
“It's an ambush!” Guiche shouted. |
“It's an ambush!” Guiche shouted. |
||
− | Saito began to panic, just as he |
+ | Saito began to panic, just as he wanted to unsheathe Deriflinger which was slung behind his back, two more arrows flew towards him. |
“Whoa!” |
“Whoa!” |
||
− | Just as they thought they |
+ | Just as they thought they about to meet their doom, a strong gust of wind blew towards them, changing into a small hurricane. |
− | That same hurricane caught all the arrows and sent |
+ | That same hurricane caught all the arrows and sent it away. |
− | + | Wald raised his wand. |
|
− | “Are you guys all right?” |
+ | “Are you guys all right?” Wald shouted. |
“I'm all right...” replied Saito. |
“I'm all right...” replied Saito. |
||
− | + | Damn it! Louise's fiance just saved my life. That sense of dismal kept expanding, causing Saito to feel inferior. He unsheathed Deriflinger. The runes of his left hand started glowing again, reliving him of the exhaustion that he had been suffering. |
|
− | [[Image: |
+ | [[Image:Znt_B2_C4_01.jpg|thumb|''"Still thinking of a caption... Please upload one if you can..."'']] |
“I'm so lonely, partner. It's too much of you to keep putting me inside the scabbard.” |
“I'm so lonely, partner. It's too much of you to keep putting me inside the scabbard.” |
||
Line 542: | Line 525: | ||
Saito looked at the top of the cliff, but no arrows could be seen. |
Saito looked at the top of the cliff, but no arrows could be seen. |
||
− | “It was most |
+ | “It was most probably thieves or bandits.” Wald said. |
− | Louise |
+ | Louise whom suddenly realizing something exclaimed, “Could it be the nobles from Albion?” |
“Nobles would not use arrows.” |
“Nobles would not use arrows.” |
||
Line 552: | Line 535: | ||
Screams could be heard from the cliffs. |
Screams could be heard from the cliffs. |
||
− | Arrows could |
+ | Arrows could been seen shooting towards the night sky. However, all the arrows are parried away by wind magic. |
− | After that |
+ | After that a small hurricane created by magic blew away all the archers. |
− | “Hmm... Aren't those wind incantations?” |
+ | “Hmm... Aren't those wind incantations?” Wald mumbled to himself. |
− | The archers |
+ | The archers attempting to ambush them rolled down the cliffs after being blown away by the magical tornado. They landed hard onto the ground, giving out moans of pain. |
− | With the moon as the background |
+ | With the moon as the background appeared a familiar sight. “It's Slyphid!” Louise shouted confoundedly. |
− | It was Tabitha's wind dragon. After it landed, a red-haired girl jumped down from the dragon and flicked her hair. |
+ | It's was Tabitha's wind dragon. After it landed, a red-haired girl jumped down from the dragon and flicked her hair. |
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” |
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” |
||
− | Louise too jumped down from |
+ | Louise too jumped down from Wald's griffin and replied, “What do you mean sorry to keep you waiting!? Why are you here in the first place?” |
“Not to help you in any case. When I saw you leaving the academy on the horse in the morning, I quickly woke up Tabitha and followed you all the way here.” |
“Not to help you in any case. When I saw you leaving the academy on the horse in the morning, I quickly woke up Tabitha and followed you all the way here.” |
||
− | Kirche pointed at Tabitha, from the looks of it she was woken up from her sleep; she was still wearing her pajamas. But she |
+ | Kirche pointed at Tabitha, from the looks of it she was woken up from her sleep; she was still wearing her pajamas. But she did'nt seem to mind at all, and was still reading a book. |
“Zerbst! Listen to me, we're on a secret mission given to us by her highness!” |
“Zerbst! Listen to me, we're on a secret mission given to us by her highness!” |
||
Line 576: | Line 559: | ||
“Secret mission? You should have said so earlier! How would I know if you did not tell me about it? Anyways, be thankful to me, for I have apprehended the people who wanted to ambush you!” |
“Secret mission? You should have said so earlier! How would I know if you did not tell me about it? Anyways, be thankful to me, for I have apprehended the people who wanted to ambush you!” |
||
− | Kirche said |
+ | Kirche said while pointed to the people who were lying on the ground. Those ambushers were unable to move due to their injuries and hurled abuses towards Louise and the group. Guiche approached them and began interrogating them. |
− | Louise |
+ | Louise crossing her arms, gave a vicious stare at Kirche. |
“Don't be mistaken! I'm not here to assist you. Am I right?” |
“Don't be mistaken! I'm not here to assist you. Am I right?” |
||
− | Kirche posed suggestively, and then leaned on |
+ | Kirche posed suggestively, and then leaned on Wald, who was on the griffin, and said, "Your beard makes you very manly. Do you know what passion looks like?” |
− | + | Wald glanced at Kirche and proceed to push her away using his left hand. |
|
“Huh?” |
“Huh?” |
||
Line 592: | Line 575: | ||
“But why? I just told you that I liked you!” |
“But why? I just told you that I liked you!” |
||
− | That was the first time that Kirche received such cold treatment from a male. Usually any male would be mesmerized after some sweet-talking from her. But |
+ | That was the first time that Kirche received such cold treatment from a male. Usually any male would be mesmerized after some sweet-talking from her. But Wald was not in the least interested. Kirche dazed at Wald with her mouth wide open. |
− | “I'm sorry. But I cannot let my |
+ | “I'm sorry. But I cannot let my fiance misunderstand.” Wald said while looking at Louise, her face turned red from embarrassment in an instant. |
− | “What? She's your |
+ | “What? She's your fiance!?” |
− | + | Wald nodded in response. Kirche took a closer look at Wald, she did not realize it before. Wald's eyes showed no emotion at all. Just like ice. |
|
− | She then looked at Saito. He looked listless and was talking to his sword rather |
+ | She then looked at Saito. He looked listless and was talking to his sword in a rather dejected manner. |
− | + | Eh? Is he looking like that because I made advances on Louise's fiance? As she thought about that, Saito suddenly looked cuter. Looking at Saito, she ran towards him and hugged him immediately. |
|
“Actually, I'm here because I'm worried for my beloved!” |
“Actually, I'm here because I'm worried for my beloved!” |
||
Line 610: | Line 593: | ||
“Liar.” |
“Liar.” |
||
− | + | Is he jealous? Thinking of that, Kirche's passion in her heart burned brightly. |
|
“Cute! So cute! Are you really jealous?” |
“Cute! So cute! Are you really jealous?” |
||
Line 616: | Line 599: | ||
“I'm not...” |
“I'm not...” |
||
− | “I'm so sorry for neglecting you. You must be angry |
+ | “I'm so sorry for neglecting you. You must be angry isn't it?" Kirche said while pushing Saito's face into her breasts. |
“Please forgive me! I may have looked at other men, but in the end, the only one that I love is you!” |
“Please forgive me! I may have looked at other men, but in the end, the only one that I love is you!” |
||
− | Louise bit her lips, wanting to tell Kirche off. She could not tolerate Kirche for seducing her familiar. |
+ | Louise bit her lips, wanting to tell Kirche off. She could not tolerate the Kirche for seducing her familiar. |
− | Just then, |
+ | Just then, Wald gently placed his hands on Louise's shoulder. Wald looked at Louise lovingly and gave her a smile. |
“Viscount...” |
“Viscount...” |
||
− | Guiche |
+ | Guiche who was interrogating those ambushers had just returned. |
“Viscount, those ambushers admitted that they were robbers.” |
“Viscount, those ambushers admitted that they were robbers.” |
||
Line 632: | Line 615: | ||
“Hmm.. If they're just robbers, let them go.” |
“Hmm.. If they're just robbers, let them go.” |
||
− | + | Wald effortlessly mounted back to the top of his griffin, carrying Louise up with him. He then announced to everyone, “We'll spend the night at La Rochelle, tomorrow we will take the first ship to Albion at the break of dawn.” |
|
− | Kirche sat behind Saito, sharing the same horse with him. Guiche also |
+ | Kirche sat behind Saito, sharing the same horse with him. Guiche also mounted back to his horse. As for Tabitha, she was still reading her book on her wind dragon. |
− | + | To front of them, sandwiched between two cliffs, was the port city La Rochelle, dazzling with lights. |
|
+ | |||
+ | ---- |
||
<noinclude> |
<noinclude> |
||
− | |||
− | ==Translator's Notes and References== |
||
− | <references/> |
||
− | |||
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;" |
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;" |
||
|- |
|- |