Zero no Tsukaima:Volume10 Epilogue
Epilogue
Receiving a wagon from within Alhambra Castle, the group traveled on the streets in the dead of the night.
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 resisted 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!?”