Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Chapter9
Chapter 9: Alhambra Castle
Alhambra Castle was a citadel the elves built on top of a small hill in the desert.
The incident of the Halkeginia Holy Land Recovery Allied Forces who regained it at the price of countless sacrifices, could be traced back to thousands of years ago.
During that time, the Holy Land Recovery Allied Forces fixed the country border, and told the elves, “This is our land.” Consequently, that became the country's border.
The elves who had formerly lived at the desert did not have such a concept like “country border”. Just that, the elves knew that humans are living beings who would greedily treat anywhere as their land and fight for it, if the “country border” was not established. So, they reluctantly recognized the line those humans drew as the country border.
Because that citadel became the point from which the elves' land was attacked for many times, they received the elves' attacks many times as well. Every time, this process of trying to remove and being removed repeated......until that battle hundred of years ago, in which the Holy Land Recovery Allied Forces became its master, until now. Since the citadel is small, it was left aside as a military base and became an abandoned castle......because of which, it conversely flourished.
At the foot of the hill on which Alhambra Castle was built, an oasis was formed. A small inn town started growing from around that oasis......Because the surrounding of Alhambra Castle is a military base, travellers who travel in the desert would stop by, and it became a small trading area.
With the skills of the elves, the walls of Alhambra Castle were exquisitely made, adorned with fine engraving of geometric patterns. Receiving the moonlight from the twin moons, the walls shone brightly, providing a fantastic view to the desert travellers.
To the Halkeginians, the surrounding of Alhambra Castle is an exotically beautiful place.
Well then, in a small pub called “Father Joseph's Desert Doors” Inn in that beautiful inn town, the hot topic was a recent rumor of Alhambra Castle.
A unit of the king's army arrived, and was stationed in the castle.
The merchants who buy ceramics and porcelains in Sahara said to the shop owner in a whisper.
“The troops came to Alhambra Castle lately......but do you know why those guys come? Father.”
Travelling from one place to another, the wise father who had set up a pub here, tasted the stew whilst shaking his head.
“Dunno.”
““Didn't those guys come to this area to dig up some treasure?” It was rumored this, but......I feel that the truth is different.”
“Is it?”
The father reacted indifferently. He knew that not poking his head in unnecessary affairs is the secret to longevity.
“Hey. I'll treat you a drink, so tell me more about that rumor?”
“Not interested.”
Missing out getting some wine? The male merchant snorted. Beside him, a lady clothed in sand-warding robe with a hood, sat down.
“Isn't that a wonderful conversation?”
The brown skin and red lips peeking out from the openings of the robe gave the impression of a befitting beauty. The merchant gulped nervously.
“Dear, shall we offer up a cup for this man?”
The man's cup was filled with ale to the brim.
“Thanks! Hihi.”
“Well then, can you tell me more about it?”
The whole group greeted Kirche who returned to the table, with an applause. On top of the street performer costume, everyone was wearing the same robe used in the desert.
The group finally arrived at this Alhambra place yesterday night.
It took them a week of transiting between stagecoaches travelling through footpaths and highways to reach there from the Orleans mansion. Apparently, Tristain did not issue any warning to Gallia, and the performers were not suspected by any people as they walk down the road. No. On their journey, they were suspected by the patrolling knights several times, but managed to escape by the tactfulness of Kirche who knew the area very well.
“Geez, you guys......always letting me get information by myself, what's your intention?”
“But aren't you the best? Just the person for the job.”
Guiche nodded solemnly too.
“Awesome......cuz you managed to collect information one after another,” Saito said in admiration.
“Really, just do it. Guys, if you all are still Tristain nobles, with a high pride- no wonder you can't gather information.”
Montmorency turned her face aside in embarrassment, but Louise lifted up her eyes.
“Oh yes we can! I went as far as being a waitress in a bar in Tristania last time!”
“That pathetic fella?”
Louise's cheeks swelled. Come to think of it, she had let herself seen a few times by Kirche. But, now was not the time for such things, so she had no choice but to keep quiet.
“So, did you get anything?”
The merchant to whom Kirche gave an extravagant treat, had told her everything he knew, after which, he became drunk and wasted, lying down on the counter, and fell asleep.
They changed their strategy meeting location to a second floor room. That's because there were people there.
After entering the room, Kirche started telling the news she heard.
“As I thought, looks like it really is this city.”
“Which means?” Saito urged.
“Apparently, that merchant heard about it from the troops stationed there. The reason they came here was to protect a “noble” they brought here. According to the story, they seemed to be fallen royal family members. And then, the crux is that those nobles are “parent and child”.”
“In other words, Tabitha and her mother?”
“Can't we conclude that?”
Everyone's face turned solemn.
“I'm back.”
Opening the door of the room, Malicorne entered.
“I have used the “Distant Vision” spell and examined the castle!”
Being a wind element mage, Malicorne had been using magic to examine the castle from afar. Even Sylphid was not used, since it would be conspicuous. Sylphid had remained in her human form until now, and probably due to tiredness, she was asleep on the bed, snoring. Looks like taking the form of a human consumes her willpower more intensely.
Calmly, Malicorne spread a sketched parchment on the table. On it, a rough sketch of Alhambra Castle could be seen. Obviously, the internal structure of the building was not known, but the courtyard, walls, towers, keeps- all of them were drawn accurately.
“Good job!”
“Spendid......”
Guiche praised him.
“The Gallian troops stationed there aren't just one squadron. There are two squadrons there! About 300 soldiers, and 10 noble officers!”
That's quite a number.
“I see. Thanks. Well then, we've collected all the information we can.”
Kirche was fully the leader. Indeed, in such projects, there was no chance for Tristain nobles who were prideful and only knew how to carry out frontal attacks.
“So, how to rescue Tabitha out of that castle?”
“We are mostly mages. Surprise attack against approximately 300 people, it will work somehow, won't it? At our side, we have Sylphid, Saito who stopped the seventy thousand......”
Guiche said that, but Kirche shook her head.
“No way. If we attack head-on like that, reinforcements would come immediately, and danger might fall onto Tabitha. It's also possible that Tabitha would be carried away to somewhere else.”
“So what should we do? Putting everyone of the soldier to sleep with magic?”
“That's right.”
Kirche grinned impishly.
“That's impossible! Aren't we going against 300 people?? Even if we were to recite Sleep Cloud, how can we cover them all in one shot?”
“To make them sleep, we don't just have to use incantations, Montmorency.”
“Whaat?”
“Can you mix the “Sleeping Potion”?”
“I can, but......how to make them drink it? Even if we mix it into their water, it will be discovered immediately!”
“There's a plan. Just do it! Mix the strongest potion you can. Guiche, please buy some wine sold nearby.”
“Got it.”
Towards them who were about to rush out, Kirche said.
“Hey, if you meet any elf......”
The three of them trembled instantly. A word they did not want to hear. Mustering their courage, they had been driving that word out of their head.
“Run. Don't think about fighting them. The thing which must not be forgotten is, we did not come to fight. The elves are obviously with the Gallian army. We will steal into Alhambra Castle cautiously, and carefully rescue Tabitha and her mother. That's right. We've come “to save our friends”. That would be putting the cart before the horse. That's why, if you feel danger not just from elves, run. That is cowardly, but harmless.”
Understood, The three nodded.
“Thanks for cooperating in this plan to save my best friend. I am grateful for your bravery.”
Kirche bowed politely. It was their first time seeing Kirche being so commendable. Because of that, they changed their frightened expressions to serious looks.
After the three of them exited, Kirche turned towards Saito and Louise.
“Well then......”
“What are we supposed to do? What's best for us?”
“Rest. You guys are the trump card. Please conserve your strength.”
“Trump card, what do you mean?”
Kirche readily answered.
“Fight against the elf. Although we can trick the army, the elf probably won't fall for it.”
“Wh! What!? You're saying that it's okay even if we're hurt!? We may die, won't we?? You're saying that it's all right if we die?? We're not the trump card, but a sacrifice! You're really Zerbst! You hate me to that extent!?”
Kirche replied with a straight face.
“You're wrong, Louise. It's not “hating”, but “recognizing”. We probably can't win against the elf. The only thing possible, is your “legend”.”
Louise's eyes bulged.
“You knew?”
“You're the only one who thought that we don't know. You chanted in front of us before, and that chants didn't exist, did it?”
Louise blushed.
“I humbly apologize at my impoliteness towards ancestor. Can you kindly lend your holy powers to this powerless servant?”
Kirche knelt down. As expected, Louise panicked. In the long history of the dispute between La Valliere and Von Zerbst, it was the first time Von Zerbst apologized.
“L-lift up your head! What're you doing!? If I refuse this, am I not the bad guy!? I have already cast away my noble name! I'm just Louise the Zero! That's why even if I listen to what you say, I don't really mind.”
Turning aside, Louise said in an embarrassed voice.
“Eh? You threw aside your nobleness?”
“That's right! I have returned my mantle and name to Her Majesty.”
“Aah! Well then, after saving Tabitha, come to Germania! I'll employ you as my maid!”
“Stop joking around!”
Somewhat overcome with emotion, Kirche hugged Louise tightly.
Saito looked at the two with a rather radiant expression. After that, to preserve his strength, he headed towards the bed.
He did not have any self-confidence at winning against the elf at all. Or rather, how should he fight to win?
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became.
With his anxiety increasing, Saito felt as if being squashed.
But......friends with Kirche? When he looked at Louise who appeared to be trying to bring that up, he became embarrassed at that feeling.
“Well then, I'll follow what you said and sleep for a bit.”
“I look forward to it, Saito. Jean has always been saying. Saito-kun is someone capable of changing this world. I believe that as well. That's why, please change Tabitha's fate.”
Plucking up his courage, Saito grinned, overdoing it.
“Leave it to me!”
Saito slipped into the bed, and Sylphid who had been sleeping on it until now, opened her eyes wide.
“Kyui.”
“Oh, you're awake?”
Under her blue hair, Sylphid's blue eyes shone again.
“Thanks,” she expressed her gratitude.
“In order to save onee-sama, everyone is working hard for us. I'm very touched. If onee-sama knows that you all are coming to save her, surely, she would be very happy.”
“............”
“Onee-sama doesn't speak much, so she may seem somewhat cold, but......in reality, she's a very kind person. I love onee-sama very much, but onee-sama doesn't lose to me- she loves me very much too. Onee-sama did not say anything, I know something like that.”
“Uh-huh......”
Sylphid noticed that Saito looked a little down.
“What's wrong?”
“No......I'm just a little envious of you guys.”
Although we are master and familiar, we can't understand each other at all.
