Zero no Tsukaima:Volume8 Chapter10 - MTL

Chapter Ten: Swordsman

Meanwhile…

At Emma’s house, Saito, who was not able to fall asleep, was spending night with Agnes. Because Louise was staying at Tiffania’s house, Saito lost his whereabouts. In only a single room, Saito and Agnes were sitting at the table. In the bed nearby, Emma was already sleeping.

“So, you don’t have the ability to protect her?”

Agnes muttered after listening to Saito’s story.

“…Aye. Because I am not Gandalfr anymore.”

After thinking for a while, Agnes asked…

“You were defending Miss Valliere because you were Gandalfr?”

“Indeed. Because I was Gandalfr, I could protect Louise.”

“That’s not it.”

“Eh?”

“It is not the meaning I was implying. It was a question about will. There is a different meaning between ‘able to protect because being a Gandalfr’ and ‘protecting because being a Gandalfr’.”

Saito was startled.

“So, who was protecting Miss Valliere? Was it Gandalfr? Or Hiragasaito? That’s what I want to hear.”

“That…”

Saito looked hesitant before answering.

“It’s easy to belittle oneself. It’s easy to mutter ‘I can’t’ and give up one’s courage. But…”

Agnes continued.

“To risk your life for a woman, is worth a whole lifetime.”

* * *

Looking at the Sheffield, who introduced herself as a void familiar, Louise asked.

“…Is it some kind of bad joke. How can there be another void familiar."

“It is up to you to believe or not. You a free to not believe me. It’s your choice. Now, be obedient and give me that Founder’s prayer book…”

Louise said with a bitter expression.

“…And if I would oppose you, you’d knock me down and plunder?”

“Not so harshly.”

“Stop joking!”

She pointed her wand and unleashed a small explosion towards the woman with robe

Yet, it also was a gargoyle.

Another one opened its mouth.

“This is a doll, not a gargoyle. It’s a special ancient magic item that can take the shape of a person, whose blood they get to drink. This ability… Was used by kings in ancient wars. Some noble historians compare it to a play. Well, we want to thank you.“

Gargoyles approached slowly.

“They are not very useful against swordsmen and soldiers. But because of their usefulness against mages, in history, they are feared as ‘mage killers’.

“Ku!”

Louise again unleashed dispel magic at the approaching beings.

However… it was a futile attempt of resistance against such overwhelming numbers.

Void’s spell power is proportional to the time it takes to cast. Yet… she can’t make long chants. Because during casting, the mage is defenseless. She would be easily caught by an enemy.

“So, what would you say? Join into the war game! Just think about it! How long can you keep doing cancellation spells? Here!”

All the gargoyles turned into swordsmen.

There was nothing she could do about it; Louise ran away.

“Aahaha! Strange! Are you only such a Void user? Without your Gandalfr, you can’t even chant a spell!”

Louise ran, trying to escape back to the forest. Behind her, Myozunitonirun's magic doll followed her. Seems like they wanted to tease, or maybe measure Louise’s ability, since they followed Louise at her own pace.

Her feet got stumbled upon the tree root and Louise fell down.

“Hurts…”

From the other side of thick shadows, damp footsteps of gargoyles stepping through the forest soil echoed.

Fear struck her.

Yet… with her mind stricken with terror, what escaped her mouth was not the ‘Void’ spell, nor a prayer to the god, but…

“Saito!”

The name of the familiar that existed in this world no more.

In a weeping voice, Louise muttered.

“Help… Help me Saito…”

Damp footsteps echoed closer.

The reasoning part of her mind denied Saito being alive.

Abandon this belief… Saito is dead.

Give up.

Give up, Louise.

Your familiar is dead!

Louise bit her lip.

“So what...”

She knew that already.

Louise screamed in crying voice.

“So what! Sowhatsowhat!”

She could not allow her mind to whisper about his death.

“Everyone keeps telling he is dead, dead, dead… I KNOW that already! He’s dead!”

Louise stood up.

And began to utter an incantation.

The spell in an ancient language escaped Louise’s lips. It was a common magic spell, that everyone can use.

“I, Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere…”

She knew.

This was not a spell one should cast at such time.

What should have been recited were… Void spells.

However, she decided to believe in it.

And to trust in it.

With her life at stake… she placed her trust into his name.

Louise decided deep inside…

She believes.

Because, I still have not said those words.

Louise recited the spell to meet Saito and shouted.

“In the name of the great Five Pentagon Powers! Following my fate, summon a familiar!”

Louise lowered the wand.

* * *

In front of Saito, who was sitting, holding his knees… the gate opened.

The gate that he saw in Tokyo some time ago.

Saito stared with blank surprise all over his face.

“This…”

Derflinger said in a casual voice.

“…Haa, seems like your fate is to become that lass’s familiar after all.”

“But…”

“Well, Contract Servant doesn’t necessarily succeed.”

“It’s not the time for such talks.”

Agnes said pointing at the gate. Louise's scream echoed from the inside.

“Come! Come come! Help! Noo!”

“…So, what are you going to do now, partner?”

When Derflinger was finishing saying that… he was pulled up by Saito.

“Mo, so be it. But mate, it is your life tha-…”

Saito grabbed Derflinger, who was still muttering, and jumped into the gate.

* * *

On the other side of the gates, in the darkness, gargoyles appeared.

But, Louise was not trembling.

She was engulfed by a warm feeling.

He will come.

Saito will come.

Because I am about to die… Saito will come and rescue me.

Encircling Louise at the gate, one of gargoyles raised a sword.

At that moment… the gargoyles upper body crumbled down.

First thing that caught Louise’s eyes was Derflinger.

Next, she saw the black hair that she got so used to seeing… Louise felt how the tears, that she was holding back for so long, started to flow.

* * *