Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue

Epilogue

Taking a wagon from within Alhambra Castle, the group traveled on the streets in the dead of the night.

They could not use Sylphid –It was impossible for eight people to ride on her body which had yet to recover. Even if her body was healthy, she could not carry eight people and fly for an hour. There was no other way. That’s because Sylphid was still a young dragon.

The plan was to enter Germania temporarily after traveling two days on the coach, then crossing Zerbst’s territory to enter Tristain.

The ones at the coachman’s seat, taking care of the bridles, were Guiche and Malicorne. Looking ahead, they were chatting in voices mixed with fatigue and excitement.

“Hey Guiche.”

“What is it?”

“If you think about it carefully, we had just done something terrible huh?”

“Uh-huh. We’ve done it this time.”

“Wonder what my father and mother would be thinking at home. When I said I wanted to serve the Imperial Guards, they were so happy……And now we’re going back as criminals. I’d probably cause a huge trouble. Huh, I’ll really trouble them now. Geez.”

“Are you regretting your actions?” Guiche asked.

“Frankly speaking, a little. But I’d be more regretful if I don’t go along, I think. Constantly harassed by our female classmates. If I didn’t help you all, I’d become not a noble, but a commoner instead.”

Malicorne said, sighing.

“If that’s so, then don’t regret it.”

Guiche clapped Malicorne’s shoulders.

“You’re a good guy! One of these days you’ll get a lover. I guarantee it.”

“Even if Guiche guarantees it, I’m still not happy.”

Poking her head out from the carriage into the space between the two, Montmorency sighed.

“Huh, why did I follow you all until here……If I think about it, ain’t I at the frontier of Halkeginia?”

“Hahaha!”

Montmorency glared at Guiche who had laughed optimistically.

“What are you laughing at! I’m asking what we should do when we go back to Tristain!”

“I’m not thinking about that. When it comes, it comes.”

“Haa?”

“Shouldn’t we think about going back to our country first? Although it’s good that we rescued Tabitha, it doesn’t guarantee a safe return right? Not just the Gallian army. Seems like the elves are those guys’ allies too.”

“Huh……”

Montmorency let out a huge sigh. Guiche put his arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry, my Montmorency. I’ll give my life to protect you.”

“Why did I get the short end of the stick?”

“It’s okay! For some reasons my luck is strong! We’ll manage it this time too!”

“It’s not that. I’m saying that my choosing you is in itself a mistake.”

Glaring steadily at Guiche, Montmorency said that.

“Ho-how could this be……”

Guiche was dumbfounded. Montmorency planted a kiss at his face.

“Eh?”

“Why that miserable look?

“Monmo……”

At Guiche who looked up with feverish eyes, Montmorency declared.

“Geez. Don’t give up. We’ll make it somehow! Cuz I’m really not going to jail!”

Inside the wagon which was covered with a cloth, wrapped in straw, Kirche and the mother and child were snoring gently. Tabitha’s mother was asleep due to Montmorency’s potion. That’s because she would struggle violently when awake. Cuddling her mother closely, Tabitha was sleeping. She had certainly gone through much.

Covered in bandages, Kirche was sleeping too. Her burns were recovering due to Montmorency’s water magic, but……she had used up a lot of her strength.

Sylphid was sleeping in between Kirche and Tabitha.

The ones still awake in the wagon were Saito and Louise.

Looking at the sleeping Tabitha, Saito said.

“Hey Louise.”

“What?”

“I wonder how Tabitha had felt huh…Fighting alone all along like that……No matter how I think about it, looks like I’m more blessed. The ones who would help their friends, that’s really like you……But, this girl has always been alone.”

“Yeah.”

“As I thought, although we had gone against Her Majesty and Agnes to that extent, I think it’s good that we left.”

Saito said so earnestly. Louise nodded too.

“What are you going to do once we go back to Tristain, Louise? First we’ll rescue teacher out, is there anywhere for us to hide?”

“What are you talking about?”

Louise glared at Saito.

“Eh?”

“Go to the palace openly and receive our verdict. What we had just done may not be wrong. But that does not change the fact that we had brought trouble upon Princess and our motherland. We are lawbreakers. We have no choice but to receive our punishment.”

“That’s right. Uh-huh.”

Saito nodded, tired. How long would I be jailed? But still, I have no regrets. I think I would be more remorseful if I didn’t do this.

Seeing Saito acting in that way, Louise said in an angry-like voice.

“No. Only I have to go into jail.”

“Ehh?”

“Just say that I, Her Majesty’s court lady, had incited you guys, the Imperial Guards into action.”

“Wh-what!? Don’t joke around! I had brought everyone along! It’s my fault!”

But, Louise was already not looking at Saito. Gazing straight ahead, her mouth was tight shut, and a determined look hung on her face.

Despite wearing the dancer’s costume, Louise’s nobility was not damaged one bit. Instead, that lowly costume caused Louise’s demeanor as a noble to stand out.

Saito reminisced the time when he met Louise. The time when he was almost stepped on by the golem, Louise who said “A mage who abandons his familiar is not a mage!” Louise had not changed since then. The girl who never neglected the “pride” within her……

Hiding such thoughts within her heart, Louise was divinely beautiful. I grew to like her because she’s like that. Saito thought.

“Louise……I……you are really great. Umm…”

Saito reached out for Louise’s left hand nervously. But that hand avoided him.

“Don’t touch me.”

“D-don’t be angry!”

Nervous, Saito’s hands reached out for Louise’s shoulders.

“Didn’t I say not to touch me!?”

Louise’s face swelled, and she turned away. Those cheeks turned red. The third time he hugged her shoulders, she did not brush it away. She pursed her lips in an annoyed look, her body stiffening.

Simply speaking, Louise at that state was intensely cute. Saito could could not help but to press his lips closer.

“No.”

Louise resisted.

“Th-that’s right! Kissing is a reward. Since I haven’t received anything like a reward. But, I still like to do this. Very much.”

Saito said impatiently, and nyah~~~~~~ displayed an extra large smile. It was an utmost evil smile.

As I thought……such pathetic face is not something he acquired as Gandalfr. Just like what Saito said just now, courage, love…these are surely born from within him……

When she thought about this, relief and a sense of mastery gushed forth in unison. Of course, this fellow is still my servant, right. How do I say it –the worshiper of love, right.

And yet I had worried about it and become miserable. My injured pride demand a restoration of honor. Louise stood up and folded her arms.

With an absolutely triumphant voice, she looked down at Saito.

“Ehhhhhhhhhh? You, what did you say you want to do with me?”

“……Ki-kiss.”

“I can’t hear you!”

Combing her hair back in an exaggerated action, Louise declared that haughtily.

“I said I would like to ki-kiss you.”

Saito was already kneeling and speaking politely. Grasping his fists tightly above his knees, he was trembling all over, somewhat regretfully. I can’t help it. The moment I said I want to kiss her, I have already lost.

“You really want it? Say it please. How much do you want it?”

“V-very much.”

“Very much? Don’t be that abstract! You want to kiss me right? This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. So this beast says with a straight face that he wants to kiss his master. How touching.”

"I-I am not a beast.”

Saito had already started using "mon". That’s a result of his expanding humility due to his wanting to wholeheartedly kiss Louise.

“You’re not a beast?”

Louise raised her eyebrows.