Editing Zero no Tsukaima:Volume3 Chapter4

Louise was sitting down frantically knitting something in the east courtyard of the Academy of Magic, commonly known as Austri. The spring weather was beginning to change as summer approached, but Louise could still be seen in her spring clothing. Even when it was summer there, it was quite dry instead of being humid.

Ten days had passed since they had returned from Albion. Today was a day off. Without even eating desert, Louise came to the courtyard after her meal to knit. Sometimes, she would give her hands a rest and stare at the white pages of the Founder’s Prayer book, while thinking of a fitting edict for the Princess’s ceremony.

Around her, students were enjoying themselves. There was a group playing with a ball. Using magic, they played a game where they would enter the ball inside a basket without using their hands and compete on which side got the most points. Staring at the group of people, Louise sighed heavily and looked at what she had started to knit.

From the side, it was much like a painting. Sitting quietly there, Louise looked like a beautiful girl. Louise’s hobby was knitting. When she was small, her mother told her that if she was no good in magic, she should at least have something she was good at, and so she was taught how to knit by her mother.

But it seemed like the heavens did not give Louise any talent in knitting. Louise had planned to knit a sweater. However, regardless how favorably she looked upon it, it looked more like a distorted muffler. Actually it was more like an object complicatedly entangled with wool. Louise bitterly stared at the object and let out another sigh.

The face of the maid working in the kitchen resurfaced in her mind. Louise knew that she was making food for Saito. Saito thought Louise didn’t know about it, but Louise was not completely oblivious.

That girl can cook well. Kirche has good looks. What do I have then? And with those thoughts in her mind, she decided to try her hobby of knitting, but…. It seems like it wasn’t such a good choice.

Someone tapped her shoulder as she was becoming slightly depressed staring at the thing she was knitting. It was Kirche. Panicking, Louise quickly hid what she was knitting with the Founder’s Prayer book.

With her usual smile that seemed like she was downplaying someone, she sat next to Louise.

“But, that book is just blank pages isn’t it?”

“This book is a national treasure called the Founder’s Prayer book you know” Said Louise

Louise explained to Kirche. About how at Henrietta’s wedding ceremony, she was to read out the edict and how she was to use the Founder’s Prayer book, and so on.

“I see. I’m guessing that the princess’s wedding ceremony has something to do with the journey to Albion?”

“We risked danger in order for the Princess’s wedding to proceed soundly? Not a very prestigious task… So basically it has something to do with the alliance between Tristain and Germania announced the other day?”

“Don’t say anything to anyone about it” Said Louise with a slightly discouraged expression.

“Of course I won’t. I’m not Guische you know. Our two native countries have become allies. We should try and get along from now on. Right? La Vallière.”

Louise replied back half heartedly. For the sake of this peace, Henrietta has to marry a prince whom she doesn’t even love. You could say that she had no choice, but it wasn’t something to be happy about.

“I-I wasn’t knitting anything”

“You were. It’s here right?”

Kirche grabbed it from under the Founder’s Prayer book.

Louise was trying to get it back, but Kirche easily restrained her.

“I-It’s a sweater”

“You’re really easy to understand you know. You like him right? Why?” Asked Kirche while looking into Louise’s eyes.

“I-I don’t like him. It’s you who likes him. That idiot doesn’t have any qualities.”

“You know Louise. When you lie, you’re earlobes shake. Did you know that?”

Louise quickly held her earlobes. Figuring out that it was a lie, she returned her hands to her knees in a flustered manner.

Kirche laughed and said, “It’s good that you want him for yourself. But I think the one you’re worrying about is not me.”

“If you go to your room now, you can probably see something interesting”

----

Saito was cleaning the room. Sweeping the floor with a broom, wiping the tables with clothes. As Louise had recently been doing things like laundry and things related to her appearance herself, Saito’s work was reduced to cleaning.

Cleaning was done was very quickly. Louise’s room didn’t have many things in the first place. A small desk with drawers next to the closet, a table with a small vase containing a small plant, two chairs with that table, and things like the bed and bookshelf. As Louise was a fairly studios person, her bookshelf was lined up with thick books.

He took one of those books down. It had characters that he had never seen before. Well of course, thought Saito as he put it back. But, why was he able to communicate with Louise then? Their language was different, and yet they were able to understand each other.

“I come from a different world. And despite that I’m still able to understand your language. I don’t understand!”

Saito remembered about the person who was saved by Old Osman around thirty years ago. He was a person from his world. It seems like he and Osman had spoken with each other.

“I’m forgetful and aren’t really interested anyway. Can’t rely on legends too much.”

Someone knocked on the door. Who could it be? If it was Louise, she wouldn’t knock. It’s probably Guishe or Kirche? “It’s not locked” Said Saito.

She was in her maid uniform as usual but looked slightly different. Her done up silky black hair dangled on her forehead and her freckles on her face emitted somewhat of a charm. She was holding a large silver tray, filled with food.

“T-Thanks. But, Louise has let me eat at the table now, so I haven’t really been hungry”

“Really? I’ve been serving the teachers table recently so I didn’t notice. If I’m just a being nuisance then…”

Siesta hung her head slightly.

“N-No, that’s not it at all! I’m really happy that you brought me food! I’m actually hungry right now!” Said Saito, even though he was full from eating at the Alviss dining hall just a while ago.

“Really?”

Siesta’s face brightened.

“Well, eat to your heart’s content”

The small table was crammed full with food. Siesta sat next to Saito, smiling. Saito started to hate himself for stuffing himself so full before. But, he couldn’t just let Siesta’s good intentions go to waste. Determined, he started to eat the food.

“Is it good?” asked Siesta

“Yeah, it’s really good”

He wasn’t lying. But it would be even better if he had been hungry.

“Ehehe, eat all you want then”

“N-No, it’s not that! It’s the opposite. I’m really happy that someone likes the food so much! The food and the cooks would be really happy!”

“I made that one” said Siesta in a shy voice.

Saito felt his heart tense up. Siesta was thinking of me. Me of all people. He lost himself within his thoughts. The atmosphere between them was very tense. Siesta suddenly said in a flustered tone, “S-Saito!”

“Y-Yes!”

Seista paused, as if trying to choose the right words.

Saito nodded. Saito had talked to Siesta about his world and Japan in the bath. Siesta, coming from a village, didn’t know much about the world and was able to grasp what Saito had said as though it were things of another country.

“That thing only hovers.”

“My village is actually a very nice place. It’s called Tarb. From here, it’s about three days about by horse. It’s in the direction of La Rochelle.

“It’s a very remote village and there’s nothing really special there but… it has a very spacious and beautiful field. When it’s spring, the spring flowers bloom and when it’s summer, the summer flowers bloom. It’s like a sea of flowers, as far as the eye can see, past the horizon. It should be very beautiful at the moment…” Said Siesta, eyes closed as if she were drowning in memories.

“…You showed me that there’s a possibility” said Siesta, nervously looking downwards.

“Yes. A possibility that even commoners can win against nobles. We’re kind of living in fear of the nobles. But there are people who aren’t like that, people who are as happy as me. Even everyone in the kitchen thinks it”

Saito felt embarrassed. I’m not great or anything. Occasionally I’m a legendary familiar, but that’s all. It’s not something to be praised over about.

When Siesta glanced at Saito who was looking at her, dumbfounded, she shook her head.

“Sorry! That will be troublesome! It’s not even certain that you’ll be coming or not! Haha!”

Embarrassed, Saito replied, “S-Siesta, you’re really bold at times. Like the time we had a bath.”

“When I left home, my mother told me to not show anyone my body except for my chosen man”

“Aren’t I attractive?”

Siesta continued looking into Saito. Stop, Saito thought, feeling as thought he were being drawn into those black eyes.

“Then why didn’t you do anything when we had a bath?”

Siesta hid her eyes sadly. Ah, don’t look like that, I’ll feel as though I’ve done something very bad.

She had been wondering whether to bring in the desert or not. While Saito was rambling on, she closed her eyes and stood up. With a big breath, she let her apron fall to the ground.

Siesta looked at him calmly. She was the kind of person who would do something well if she had decided to do it. She started to undo the buttons on her blouse one by one.

Her blouse was half done. Her well-sized cleavage captured Saito’s vision. Saito sprang at Siesta, but suddenly found himself shaking his head, crying, “W-Wait! Wait a moment! I have to think about something like this!”

Siesta, whom Saito was grasping by the shoulders, lost her balance and fell on Louise’s bed behind them, as if Saito had pushed her down on to it.

Directly below Saito, lay Siesta with her blouse undone. Siesta put her hands on her chest, and closed her eyes.

One second. Louise notices Siesta who was pushed onto the bed by Saito.

Two seconds. Louise notices that her blouse is undone.

Three seconds. Saito and Siesta stand up flustered.

Six seconds. Siesta had done up the buttons on her blouse.

Seven seconds. She Siesta dashed out of the room, facing away from Louise.

Eight seconds. Saito cries, “Wait Siesta!”

Nine seconds. Louise regains herself.

Ten seconds. Just as Saito was about to explain what had happened, he felt an intense pain as Louise high kicked him.

“Get out”

Saito was also starting to feel angry. First you summon me then you fire me? What am I supposed to do?

Those were harsh words, no matter what he had done. All that, just because he and Siesta were on her bed. We weren’t even doing anything. And I thought she was becoming nicer.

“I don’t want to see your face ever again”

Alone in the room, Louise lay on her bed. She put the blanket over her head.

So mean, Louise thought.

“It hasn’t only been today. When I’ve been having lessons, he’s been bringing that girl in and doing that and I didn’t know. I won’t forgive him.”

As if the words were meant for herself, she whispered them repeatedly.

----

While searching for Belldandy, Guishe spotted a tent in the corner of the Vestri courtyard. For some reason a huge kettle was placed next to it. Guiche wondered what the kettle and the tent were for.

It was a crudely made tent made from a stick and an old rag. There were remains of food, bones and skin from fruits, scattered around. It seemed like someone was living there. His beloved familiar came out of the tent while he was looking at the tent with his head tilted in wonder.

“Belldandy, so you’re here!”

“Belldandy, what are you doing here?”

“Come here mole. You and I, were friends right?”

“What on earth are you doing?” asked Guiche, surprised.

“Belldandy don’t go over there. Why is Belldandy your friend anyway?”

“I don’t know what happened, what don’t go thinking Belldandy is the same as you”

Guiche peered inside the tent. Derflinger and for some reason, Kirche’s salamander were in there.

“Kyuru kyuru” <- sound that salamander makes, not sure how to translate

“So, you got driven out of Louise’s room?

Saito nodded strongly. Guiche closed his eyes and nodded himself.

“Kyuru kyuru”

“My bad” replied both the salamander and Derflinger in a sorry voice.

And then Siesta hurried away in the same fashion she had came.

“I’m not two timing! I’m not even involved with anyone, not Louise nor Siesta!”

“You’re ruining the beautiful scenery the school has.”

“You’ll be told to get out if the teachers see you, you know.”

Saito gulped down his wine without another word, returning to the tent while hugging the mole. The mole looked desperately at Guiche.

“Hey, give me back my Belldandy!”

----

Meanwhile, Louise had been skipping class and stayed in her bed, worrying endlessly. Three days had passed since she drove Saito out. She was thinking about the familiar she drove out. He even kissed me, he even kissed me, he even kissed me, she thought endlessly. Having your pride hurt is really a terrible thing. She sadly glanced at the haystack that Saito used to use. She wanted to throw it out, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Suddenly a knock came at the door. The first thought she had was that Saito had finally returned. Her sadness turned to joy, and within that joy she felt anger. Why am I glad he’s back? I should not let him back in for coming back so late.

“You’ve been absent for three days now, so I came to see you”

Kirche looked at Louise coldly. On her rosy cheeks, there were traces of tears. She had probably been crying for a while now.

Kirche’s words hit the mark, yet Louise disagreed and pouted her lips.

“I can’t I say I didn’t see it coming. It’s because you didn’t give anything to him. It’s only natural he’d go flirt with another girl.”

“La Vallière, you’re a strange girl you know. You’re being angry and crying over a guy who you won’t even kiss. You can’t win like that…” Said Kirche in a bored tone while she was standing up.

“I’ll do something about Saito. I was looking forward to taking Saito away from you… but you hit him and kick him and drive him out, I actually feel quite sorry for him. He’s not a toy you know.”

And with that, Kirche left. Louise didn’t reply back. She crawled back on her bed, full of sorrow and regret, and cried like she used to when she was small.

----

When Kirche had come to Saito’s tent, it was late at night already. Saito’s drunken voice could be heard within the crude tent. Flame’s “Kyuru kyuru” could also be heard in the tent. It must have come here to play when she had gone out to the streets.

Kirche opened the flap of the tent. It was a disgusting scene inside. Guiche had his face buried in his mole, crying. Saito was hugging Flame, while grumbling with a wine bottle in another hand.

“It’s just like you said! Your an idiot!” shouted Saito. It seems like he had drunk so much he couldn’t even articulate properly.

“I didn’t even do anything with that Katie. She held my hand, and I had only lightly kissed Mortmerncy! Despite that, I-!”

Guiche burst into tears. He was the type who cried when he drank. Kirche sighed. Why do men have do be such idiots?

Derflinger noticed Kirche and told Saito.

Saito, who couldn’t possibly get even more drunk, was angry by just looking at a woman. He faced Kirche.

“Those large tits, if you show me them, you can join”

Everything around them was scorched. Even they were scorched. Saito’s hair, Guiche’s nice shirt, were ragged looking by Kirche’s fire magic. They had heard of water being a good trick to use, but they didn’t think fire would work as well.

“Do you plan on giving in a tent for the rest of your life?”

“No, but…I got driven out, and I haven’t found a way back home either…”

A way back home? Kirche and Guiche looked at each other. Saito suddenly shook his head.

“No, I mean, that, Roba in the east!”

While Kirche caressed his Saito’s cheek, she said, “Don’t you want to become a noble?”

“In Tristain that is. By the law, commoners are strictly forbidden to purchase land or become nobles.

“Exactly”

“Uncivilized? People who are fussed over traditions and customs like ‘if you’re not a mage you can’t be a noble’ which make their country weak have no right to talk. It’s the reason why Tristain has to ally with Germania to be able to oppose Albion.

“Yes, we’re going treasure hunting and selling the treasure we find. Saito… you can do whatever you want then.”

Guiche who was looking at the map, whispered doubtingly, “No matter how I look at it, these maps seem a bit suspicious…”

“I got them from various places like the magic shop, stalls, general stores…”

“That attitude won’t do!” Said Kirche, with her hands made into tight fists.

“Saito, let’s go. Let’s go find treasure and abandon Louise… and then you’ll propose to me ok?”

Abandoning Louise… that did have a nice ring to it. Nobles… their always so proud, and they even forget about the people who have saved them before. Saito made up his mind.

“You can marry, Saito!”

Kirche and Siesta were both pulling on Saito. It was the first time in his life that he was being fought over by girls. He blushed deeply. This probably wouldn’t happen a second time in his life.

“Yes? Go on?”

“As if we didn’t know” Everyone said.

The head chef really liked Saito, he would probably do exactly as Siesta had said.

And with that, Siesta grabbed Saito’s arm, leading him to fantasize about Siesta’s naked breasts pressing against him.