Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter3

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Chapter Three: Karin the Heavy Wind

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

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

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

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

“What’s the matter, commander?”

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

“That’s manticore troop armor.”

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

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

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

“Perhaps it’s not his to begin with.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Umm…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It’s embarrassing.”

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

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

“Duchess! You are the duchess!”

Agnes was surprised too.

“Then, this…”

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

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

“I understand, but why…”

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

Karin stood up straight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was an old and huge Maboroshikedamono Manticore.

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

Karin effortlessly flew up fifty meters and straddled the manticore.

“K-Karin-domo!”

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