Zero no Tsukaima:Volume15 Chapter9

Chapter 9: The Exit of the Labyrinth

When Joseph released the "fire jewel" from his hands, wrecking the fleet named under his brother's name without mercy, there was not a single expression of emotion.

He merely muttered "The construction of that fleet, how much did it cost?"

"The dual-use fleet, began construction ten years ago for the purpose of resisting the Albion fleet. Accordingly, within five years, it spended half of the country's income for its construction." Myoznitnirn replied calmly.

"Such a valuable item turned to ashes in minutes. How disappointing"

"You.... are you sad?"

"Hardly. Compared to this, letting the toy boat my father bought for me sink in the pond was more saddening. Speaking of which, I already lost track of how many times Harold won. Not a single win here though."

Her body restricted of freedom by the stone statue, Henrietta painfully interupted "A fleet of that size..... how many..... how many do you think it carried? Ten thousand, no, at least a couple times more. You turn so many people, into ashes in a blink of an eye, yet you compare this to a toy sinking in a pond..... even the devil will seem more compassionate in front of you"

"What do you understand? How would you possibly know how I feel? Bathed in victory, blessed by everyone, wearing a crown, how could you possibly understand me?" Joseph kicked Henrietta with hatred. Witnessing the tradegy in front of her, Henrietta's heart finally broke. The remaining strand of "hope" in her heart was snapped. Dragged into her flow of emotions, Henrietta finally cried.

"Feel sad? You... are heartbroken aren't you? How admiring" Joseph grabbed Henrietta's face, and lifted it, facing each other. "Give me your sadness. Give it to me. If you can do it, I will do anything you want. Everything. This kingdom, this world, anything"

"God.... please stop this man. For the sake of our next generations, before this world is destroyed, before everything is turned into ashes....."

"Then I guess God himself should also witness what the world would look like in ashes" Joseph took the last "jewel of fire" handed from Myoznitnirn. This one was twice the size of the last one. Lovingly, Joseph stroke the "jewel". The bright "fire" in the transparent container gave a brilliant shine, illuminating Joseph's palm.

If this was delieved to the ground.....all lands in its radius, 10 miles and above, will be charred black. Whether it's grass or tree, human or animal.... all life on land will be burnt to nothing, ashes to ashes.

Including his army sworn loyal to him, and his brother's only child, his neice Charlotte.

"Will I cry" Asking multiple times himself, the question sounded again in his mind.

"This time, will I cry?"

When the world is roasted.... what if he still won't cry... what would he do next?

He was confused himself. The literally world of nothing. Tears, emptiness, sadness, nothing. Only "zero".

Needless the reminder from Henrietta, he was clear himself. This is not what he wanted to see.

But....

Looking at the weeping Henrietta, Joseph thought The only one who can stop me.... will be Harold

If he reconciles me.... yeilds to me.... I wouldn't have been so desperate

However, even to God, this is not possible. After all, Harold is not alive anymore.

Joseph understood. He really understood that even when the world was turned into ashes, he still be unable to cry.

Still, a sense of hope remains.

He could not find any other way.

What was pushing Joseph to deliever despair to the world, was actually hope itself. Although it was a dim coloured hope, it kept pushing Joseph forward, supporting his body.

Joseph began chanting the "void" spell again.

Since this time the "jewel" was of a larger size, its container would be even stronger. If the "explosion" was not powerful enough, no damage would be left.

Right this moment.

The vessel began wobbling. Joseph looked in the far distant.

A wind dragon scaled in blue, leading a couple of pegasuses was speeding this way. One of the paladins on a pegasus seemed to be chanting wind magic.

To protect her master's spells from being interupted, Myoznitnirn released a few stone statues. Controlled by Myoznitnirn, powered up to the maximum, the stone statues dashed towards the welcomed gate-crashers.

At various places, stone statues and paladins began to commence their aerial battles.

"Jo-Joseph my lord...." Joseph was about to continue chanting.... in that instant, he was flung backwards by the explosion in front of his eyes, the recoil slamming him to the other edge of the ship.

"Urg...."

The jewel of fire rolled from his hand onto the deck. The explosion also pushed the stone statue holding down Henrietta away. Suddenly regaining freedom, Henrietta spotted the rolling jewel and caught it in her mouth urgently.

Looking around, she saw Louise riding on the wind dragon. Seems like this explosion was the effects of Louise's spell. Thank you, everyone Thanking everyone in her mind, Henrietta lept off the side of the ship.

"Your Majesty!" Seeing Henrietta jump off, Louise cried out. Driving away the stone statues around them, Slipheed decended rapidly. Just as she was about to catch her.... a speeding statue came out of nowhere, snatching the Queen away.

Sharp claws pryed open the jewel clamped tightly by Henrietta's mouth. As if determining her as useless afterwards, it threw her away uncaringly.

Slipheed freefalled again, finally fatching her body.

"Are you hurt?" With little time to celebrate their reunion, Louise asked urgently. Sitting on the back of Slipheed, Henrietta yelled with a pale face "Ignore me! The stone! Hurry!"

Louise nodded, quickly chanting her spell again.

It was the "explosion" spell. Because she had used it just now, she was unable to target larger enemies. This was her limit. During the "crusade", Louise had already used her magic too many times.

Yet still she fought for focus, chanting the spells of "void". Unfortunately.... her chant could not be finished in time, releasing only a fraction of its maximum power.

A few stone statues the paladins had failed to supress began attacking Louise and the rest.

"Ah!" In response to Henrietta and Louise's cries, Saito pulled the trigger of his AK at the stone statues. Using three-point bursts, it easily bursted the heads of the statues, but bullets quickily ran out. It was the last clip.

In midair, swords have barely any use. Saito gritted his teeth.

To protect her side, Louise was forced to use "explosion". The small scaled explosion rippled around Slipheed, sending the statues flying.

"Quickly! Louise! Hurry and stop that insane man! If... if we don't make it, everything will turn into ashes!" Henrietta shouted.

"I'll go. Slipheed, get to the ship!"

Slipheed acknoledged with a cry.

Louise stared at the small vessl. What was going on? With this small ship, carrying only two people, bring down the entire dual use fleet? The Romalia and Gallia armies, reaching a hundred and fifty thousand lives, were about to face the same fate as the dual use fleet.

The Founder's magic.

The incomparable power of the Founder.

When combined with the destructiveness of "void".....

Facing this new threat, Louise began to feel fear.

In these cases.... only her familiar can be trusted.

On the decks, Joseph can be seen chanting. Protecting him was more than a dozen statues controled by Myoznitnirn.

For the first time in her life, she caught a glimpse of Joseph at such a close distance.

Having the same coloured hair as Tabitha.... a slender but fit body. Handsome looking, it was as if a male beauty carefully carved.

From the mouth of his came the chants of the spell.

Ironically, hearing his chant gave an immense boost in Saito's bravery. Natural instincts in Saito's body found it irritating.

If he were to finish his chant...

Recollecting the jewel just now, Saito felt as if his spine was stabbed with an ice pick. Leaping off Slipheed's body, Saito landed onto the deck. Already, Myoznitnirn's stone statues were in front of him.

With horns like antlers on goats, strong developed muscles, bat wings, this statue looked like nothing but bad news. Saito found it just as bad looking as Joseph himself.

It was him who made this jewel! Anger shook his soul.

The runes on his left hands glowed. Facing the incoming statue, Saito delievered a slash, cutting its body in half.

With the blade swinging, one by one statues rolled down the deck, heads, body parts, so on.

Whoever it is, no sword master could match up to the speed of Saito's slash.

Reaching his boiling point, no one can stop Saito. One after another statues tumble down. A dozen or more statues, completely annhiliated in a mere 15 seconds.

"Looks like you are out of weapons" Holding Derflinger, Saito cautiously pressed towards Myoznitnirn.

Despite seemingly in trouble, Myoznitnirn's smile was not a bit shaken.

"What!" Next moment, Saito was subjected to a horrifying sight.

The already cut in half statues crawled near their bodies and reattached themselves like clay dolls, standing up again.

Standing next to Joseph, Myoznitnirn's mouth turned into a dazzling smile.

"These statues aren't just any statues. They are all enhanced with the power of water. Though their power can hardly match a Golomonta's, they are close to immortal. How many times you dice them, it will only be a waste of time."

Again, the statues assaulted.

Even after defeated, they will revive again. There's no end to it. Saito began turning defensive.

"What's wrong? Without your weird 'gun', you can't even manage a fight like this? How pitful!" Just as Myoznitnirn was chuckling.... a quite more muffled gun sounded.

Since when, Saito had been holding a handgun on his left hand, giving Myoznitnirn a shot. This was another item from the basement of Romalia.

Not only did Saito bring his AK, he also hid a small handgun. His change into a defensive posture was only to let Myoznitnirn's guard down.

Hit in the shoulder, Myoznitnirn knelt down.

Losing the control of Myoznitnirn, the statues around him collasped to the deck like puppets cut from their strings.

Although the statues combatting the paladins in midair are on automation, since the ones on the deck are specially modified versions, without Myoznitnirn's support, they are rendered immobile. With a tired voice, Saito said "That's right... without a gun like this, I can't fight at all. Tell me, what makes you any different? Myoznitnirn"

Ignoring the moaning Myoznitnirn, Saito walked towards Joseph. Avoiding battles, at the bell tower at the back of the deck, Joseph was continuing his chant.

Stopping suddenly, he turned towards Saito. "How are you doing, Gandalfr"

"Toss the stone away or I'll open fire" Holding the handgun, Saito warned.

This man had certainly caused a lot of trouble in his life.

.....Incredibly, he could not bring himself to hate him. Logically, in his head, all the burning anger seemed to be directed at this man.

This man had forced, to him, to Tabitha, to the people of Halkenia, all sorts of paths already.

Tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands human lives had already died in his hands. The number of lives ruined by this man is still piling up.....

What kind of disgusting face would he have?

What kind of shameless attitude would he use with him?

Though long psychologically prepared for this....

Yet, all that could be seen on this man's face, was a sense of loneliness. Facing this hatred foe finally, Saito was confused.

The mad ruler shaking the stability of Halkenia again and again....

was this pathetic, pitiable person?

"How young. What's your age?" Asked of his age kindly, Saito unconsiously replied "Seventeen.... no, eighteen"

"You are honest to the degree where your eyes are shining. Although a different in looks, you are just like Harold."

"Throw away the stone!"

Of course, Joseph didn't take notice of him. All he did, was muttered, as if reminising something. "I was once just like you. I believed in my own justice, thinking I could slove all problems.... when I become just like everyone else, all my cowardice will disappear. Intellect, logic... what are these? I believed these are all things that will only confuse you"

Saito aimed at Joseph's hand. Joseph did not bother to continue his chant, but rather, continued "But, these were only my dreams. As I aged, they sank like residue. Dreams came to me, telling me to choose with my own hands, staining me with void. This is just like, a labyrinth. I am still yet to completely this labyrinth, I know...."

Saito pulled the trigger. The bullet sped towards Joseph, but that instant, Joseph disappeared.

"That toy, however many times you use, will never be my opponent" came Joseph's voice from behind.

Instinctively, Saito spun around and sliced thin air with Derflinger. Joseph had disappeared again.

This time, Joseph moved to the stern of the ship.

Saito remembered, a line from Castlemont's letter.....

"Joseph.... transport instantly from his bedroom to the courtyard"

Because he was too concentrated in fighting, he had completely forgotten. Saito cursed his own clumsiness.

"This spell is called 'accelerate'. Also part of void. Why did God give this spell to me? How ironic. Sounds as if he's 'rushing' me himself."

Saito chased after Joseph, shooting with bullets, slashing with his sword. But everytime, Joseph evaded with 'acceleration'. Attacks are all rendered useless. Facing an opponent exceeding speed a human is capable of, even Gandalfr is not his opponent.

Gradually, Saito's breathing became heavier and heavier.

"Looks bad.... partner. How unfortunate. Our opponent have a troublesome spell." Derflinger grumbled.

It remembered, the "body split" spell used in the battle of 瓦路德.

That spell was capable of splitting the body into multiple clones. A pretty handy spell, because even if there were more opponents, they would all be in the range of his weapon's attack range.

On the other hand.... Joseph's spell is different. If capable of teleporting, "weapons" are hardly useful.

"Very interesting, young man. It was nice meeting you, but I have my work to do. It's time it ended." Joseph drew out his dagger. The dagger glowed with a glamorous gleam, sending shivers down Saito's spine. Claimed as the master of all weapons, feeling fear towards a simple dagger.

Able to defeat strong spells and magical instruments, yet so helpless against such a dagger.

"Speed". Crushed by the lack of this ability, it was the cause of Gandalfr's powerlessness.

"Ohh boy"

Although capable of many times the reflexes of an average person through Gandalfr's power, he is still unable to stop the dagger. Despite knowing very well, Saito shut his eyes.

"Oh, about give up? Well, is more swift"

"Whoa, partner? How are you going to fight with your eyes closed?"

"In my world, there's something called the 'third eye'! Come at me, Joseph! I'll see through your actions with my third eye!" Saito raised himself to the utmost sensitivity. Prepared for the single "instant" the will come....

"Fascinating. Then if you will allow me"

Joseph's breath neared.

Aiming at that point, Saito slashed out...

The feel of the hard, sharp blade going deep into his stomach.... Saito was forced to open his eyes.

"What an incredible eye" came Joseph's voice from the left. On the side of Saito's stomach, held Joseph's dagger tightly. The slash Saito delievered with closed eyes didn't even touch Joseph's shirt. Easily, Joseph stabbed Saito from the side.

The pain from the dull sword leaked all his energy from his body. However, Saito forced a smile. Even one short second was more than enough.

That's right.

What he was counting on, was not his third eye by lashing out in the unknown, but the single second when stabbed, in broad daylight.

"Caught you" With this, he grabbed Joseph's hand.

Third eye or not, it was all a fallacy. If you can't catch something with both eyes open, how would it be possible to catch with both of them closed. Besides, that kind of thing, Saito never had it to begin with. Whichever situation it is, it should be done with wide open eyes, analysed logically, with hopes for success.

Using Derflinger in his right hand, Saito stabbed Joseph on his left..... But, Joseph's expressions were just as calm.

Saito's body was in paralysis, right that moment.

It's all over!

Like poisoned, arms failing from an indescripable loss of power, Derflinger dropped from his right hand. The other released Joseph weakly. Saito bended his knees, dropping to the deck.

The miscalculated paralysis and pain from his failure spreaded in his mouth....

Blocked by flocks of statues, whether it's the wind dragon or Paladins, none of them will be able to stop Joseph's chant.

Joseph raised his wand.

Below scurrying franticly, was a hundred and fifty thousand army..... a hundred and fifty humans. Imagine them, their looks when turned to ashes. The look when all is burnt, all is returned to ashes.....

...... but he was not moved.

Not at all.

He eyed the fallen teenager with disorienting breathing patterns out of his eye.

Even when stabbed in the stomach, even when the toxins have spread all over his body, the furious flames never disappered from his eyes.

The teenager bit his lips.

It seemed like he was regretting being unable to stop Joseph.

Walking near Saito, Joseph stepped on the dagger, piercing it further into Saito's abdomen.

"Ah...." The pains were too unbearable to cry out anymore.

"Do you wish you could better?"

"Yes.... I wish I could do better. I was unable to stop countless people from being murdered...." With tearless weeps, Saito said while frowning.

"How does it feel? Maybe you could have won just now, but there is only the taste despair. You are unable to protect what you were supposed to protect, and die in despair"

Saito pushed his paralysed body to its limit, crawling inch by inch, reaching his hand towards the handgun dropped on the floor. Joseph kicked it to the other end of the deck.

"What a kid, still trying to make a move on me. Shining eyes believing everything you do is right. How admiring. Harold, I.... what am I doing. Why, why did I turn into this. If we can return to the past.... I'd love to. If we can return to those times, I'd really want to start over again"

"It's too late.... I can never find my way out of this labyrinth"

Joseph finished his spell. Right the moment he threw the "fire jewel" offboard..... the "ruby ring of Earth" glowed.

"Eh?"