Zero no Tsukaima:Volume7 Chapter10

Chapter Ten: The Place of Courage

On that little hill drawn on a map…The dawn brought light to the darkness. The view slowly expands, and the grassland below slowly grew larger and larger.

It is recorded on the map, a rural area approximately 50 miles outside (un-translated city)

After a whole night of riding, Saito finally arrived here. A light excitement covered Saito. Although he had been riding all night, Saito felt energetic throughout his entire body and fatigue was restored by the morning light.

In the morning fog, slowly, slowly and accompanied with the shaking of earth, a great army appeared.

Saito stood up, and slammed his hand against the horse he had been riding. The horse which had been chewing grass idly was suddenly shocked, and fled in the direction where Saito had come from.

“You are not going to use a horse?’ The Delfinger on Saito’s back asked.

“That guy has a life too, it is not just some tool”

“You have such a good heart, partner.”

Saito asked Delfinger, “Didn’t you say before, the Gandalfr was able to defend a thousand foes alone? 70,000 shouldn’t be a problem right?”

“That is what they say, but it is only a legend, so people tend to exaggerate. Don’t get too hopeful, in reality, it was probably less than a thousand.”

“….why are you like this? Lying to me like that. If you lied to me, don’t tell me the truth. We are already lost, at least lie to the very end.”

On the horizon of the grassland, we can see the advancing army. Althrough it is an army of 70,000, due the fact they are not marching abreast, it does not appear to be as large. But in reality, all 70,000 are there.

Soldiers wielding weapons, Mages armed with spells, Cannons, magical man-beasts, (untranslated something pulling monster?) Dragon Riders…Riders riding transforming beasts(not sure about this one).

Saito asked with a fearsome voice, “Ah, why must I have risk my life to charge into that mob?”

“Why are you asking the obvious? Because our ships have to retreat, so we have to buy time.”

”No…I am not talking about this…But, forget it.” Saito let out his breath.

“Last time I was saved by Guiche’s mole, but this time there is no escape.”

“No we cannot. No matter what just charge in, in a situation like this no matter which direction charging in is the same. Aim for the commanding officer, strike down the head, and the body will fall into chaos. You can probably hold out for a day or so.”

Saito nodded, holding Delfinger tightly. The Mark on his left hand begin to glow.

“Let me tell you something, Delfinger.”

“What is it?”

”Can I tell you a story from my childhood?”

“Sure.”

“I, once, saw an old lady being harassed by some punk near a train station, something about the old lady bumped into them. But that time I was just a little chibi, if I wanted to stop them I couldn’t, so I only stood by and watched. That time I thought, if only I were a little stronger, but at the same time, I also sighed. Because even if I was stronger, it does not guarantee I would have won.”

“True”

“No mistake, I am stronger now, there cannot be any excuses. That time because I had no strength, so I had the excuse to not to do anything. The excuse that I was not strong enough, so I didn’t help. But now, I've lost that excuse. Because I am now very, very strong. No matter what, I am Gandalfr, right?”

Deflinger murmured lowly, “um hum.”

“But…all that strength is only external, in reality I am not really any stronger inside. But there is nothing I can do about it, although I am Gandalfr the legendary familiar, my body is suddenly, shaking, I really don’t have any mental preparation. This type of situation is really not for me. Protecting everyone’s honor, I really don’t like it! Scared to death, I am really afraid! *****”

“Partner, you are really someone truly brave!”

“This kind of personality will only lead to trouble, fast.” (Unsure) Saito thought about it, Courage, isn’t this what it is all about?

“Hey, Partner.”

“What?”

”Am I going to die?”

“Probably.”

The boy became silent, Delfinger decided to raise his spirits, “If it is going to be like this, then go out like a hero!”

“Why?”

”Because otherwise it will be a waste.”

Four hundred meters in front of them, they can see Albion’s forward assault force.

Suddenly his body begins to move by itself, they would never know if this was the power of Gandalfr, or Saito’s own bravery, or something else…

Saito charged toward the army of 70,000.

The first group of Albion soldiers who found the charging Saito was not Forward cavalries, but the owl familiar belonging to the artillery/firearm commander. Because he didn’t believe the Infantries, so he decided to personally investigative the matter.

After he verified the situation through his owl, He immediately ordered the firearm squadrons to prepare to fire, because normally during the course of a march, firearm troops do not keep their weapons loaded.

“What? Only one person?”

He was surprised when he found out there is only one person, but he became shocked once he saw the boy’s speed.

It is not a speed that can be achieved by a human on foot.

The forward cavalry also made the same mistake? (strange translation)

Because in the mistake in the estimation of speed, just as they stopped the opposition charged right pass them. Before the cavalry can even draw their weapons, they were knocked off their steeds.

The only thing the fallen cavalry men can do is hear the sound of the enemy’s footsteps, the speed is so fast, they could not even see their foe’s image. Before the soldiers finish loading their weapons, the enemy is already in front of the commander.

It is a person armed with a large sword.

The commander in reflex tried to pull out his wand, but was send flying by the sword. Something hit him hard on the side of his head, the commander instantly lost conscious. (Something about the next group closing in on this familiar is the Airborne Knights, the grammar is horrible). They used magic to track Saito’s movement, then released a barrage of magic.

Knives of wind, Lances of Ice, balls of fire, they flew in waves toward Saito, but were instantly absorbed by the sword. The Knights stared in shock, but did not stop their magical assaults.

The Firearm commander ordered his men to scatter; in the instant he made that order, a wind blew next to him, where the wind struck, his wand was snapped in half, and a foot slammed into his stomach. Ribs shattered, the pain was so strong the officer could not cry, and quickly fell into a coma.

Deflinger asked Saito, “Why didn’t you kill them?”

Saito threw back a short reply, “I am not a soldier.”

“What do you mean?”

“No matter allies or enemies; I will not count them as puppets?” (translation questionable)

Delfinger listened, and only let out a long sigh.

Saito danced, dodged, and struck left and right, which caused massive chaos within the enemy formation. Fighting alone turned out to be extremely advantageous. To prevent friendly fire, the enemy did not dare to use firearms or projectiles, also, with the speed of Gandlifer, nothing in this world can catch up.

But…the Magic from the other side is extremely (untranslated).

The endless barrage of magic, although Delfinger could absorb them, but the amount of magic delivered is certainly above normal, and slowly the sword begin to lose the ability to handle them. “Ugh!”

“Left hand?”

“Humm, damn…I can’t move it anymore.”

Saito could only wield Delfinger with his right hand, a deep wound struck his left shoulder, and a part of his body is now charred by flame, which came from the fireball the exploded near him.

Although the situation is grave, Saito still charged forward, bravely stood tall surrounded on all sides.

Due to the attacks by Magic and weapons alike…Saito’s injury became graver every second.

Ridding on his (untranslated Magicial beast) is the unit’s commanding officer, kicked his beast, and prepared to charge. But a sword knocked him off his mount, he saw his (untranslated name) struck down, in that instant, his own legs were shattered, collapsed on the ground.

The commander for the firearm division ordered his men to prepare for a maneuver, thinking to surround this wind like enemy in an instant, but the enemy leaped over the formation, and struck the commander’s head with his sword, sending the man instantly into oblivion.

The young commander in charge of the Archers hastily ordered his men to fire, but the arrows could not reach their foe, but instead struck down his allies instead. In the chaos he manages to hit his foot.

---

The chaos with the forward guards became progressively worse. (Untranslated name, apparently the Albion general) received reports that completely boggled him. The communications he received were completely a mess.

Some say, the enemy is a single rider. Some say, the enemy is a Magician. Some say, is a part of the enemy force. Some say, is elvish Magic Knights. Some say, is a elvish division…etc

But, the general, a veteran who survived a hundred battles felt it is a single foe.

An enemy with the speed of the wind, A foe with the strength like fire, A obstacle unshakable like the stones of earth, A opponent elusive like the wave of the sea.

“Such a hot hand”, (general name) remarked with a low voice.

Just as Saito broke the wand of an officer of middle rank, the boy spotted a group of mages. Since so many mages were protecting a single individual that mean…

“That guy must have a pretty high rank...” Delfinger added. But even through Saito heard him he could not do much, his body begin to be paralyzed by the pain. Very soon he wouldn’t be moving t all.

Saito must save the energy from his breathe.

Just to take down one more Officer…

Just to cause more havoc.

Just like this to extend the time, just even one minutue, one second, must be taken.

This was Louise’s task.

A task my own beautiful master volunteered.

Saito looked at the enemy horde’s commander Mage (translated incomplete)

(Untranslated general name, same as before) stared at the wind blasting toward him.

Truly amazing speed.

He pulled out his Wand, chanted his Magic, in one breathe he summoned a Saber made of Wind. But… the enemy’s agility dodges it. He could only see the enemy’s blade, flying toward his head.

(General’s name) can only see the shadow in front of him, as if trying to brand it under his vision.

His Riders struck the enemy full of Magic bolts, each attaching itself on to that swordman’s body.

Although so many bolts should had been fatal, but the wind like warrior never slowed.

The Swordman pushed his blade forward, almost (translation incomplete) slamming into (the general’s name).

The blade’s tip reached within 5 cm of his face.

But it did not struck (general’s name)’s face.

As if time suddenly stopped, the Swordman’s movement stopped, (General’s name) used his wand to knock the sword away, and the unknown Blademaster hit the ground with a thud.

“Your eminence! Are you ok?”

“General (again, I can’t translate the name) !” One of the Knights rode by.

“I am alright.” He answered.

“Combat is over, give me the report”

Very quickly, the report came. It is absolutely unimaginable a single warrior was able to cause such damage. Lower command, Upper command echelon had 14 wounded, the enlisted infantry estimated injured were around two hundred fifty. The loss apparently, from the entire army’s angle, is within the limit of acceptable. But it is effects were significant. The strong Forward guards is now in complete chaos, in the fog of war, many were injured by their own friendly fire, and the story [Everything was caused by a single sword man] and spread among soldiers like wildfire, greatly damage the morale of the troops.

---

Back to Chapter 9

Return to Main Page

Forward to Epilogue