Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter9
Chapter Nine: Reunion in Westwood
“I-Is that the village where the half-elf with an unnaturally big chest lives?”
Guiche asked restlessly.
“What the heck are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you say that? You described the features of that half elf girl — long ears and a ‘ridiculous chest.’”
“You seemed to have had quite a sneaky conversation behind our backs.”
Kirche teased while grinning.
“B-Because it’s the thing that this guy wanted to know the most about!”
“Don’t blame it all on me!”
“But, are that girl’s breasts really that big? Bigger than mine?”
Kirche puffed her chest.
“D-Dunno.”
Saito said feeling awkward.
It was already evening when the party reached Westwood Village. Though due to the position of the moon, Albion was considerably closer to Tristain, it still it took half a day with Sylphid flying at full speed to get here.
Compared to the other time when they went to Gallia, the party was in a completely different mood. This time they had a duty to take Tiffania with them.
The only trouble was the need to persuade Tiffania the best they could. It was not dangerous, so the party was in a bright mood.
It may not be a trouble-free duty though, Saito thought.
After all, Louise can’t use Void now.
Speaking of which, Louise was the only one who was not in a good mood and remained silent most of the time.
Kirche poked Saito.
“Hey, Saito. What did you do to Louise? She's been acting weird since morning. Always silent…”
“No…to tell the truth…”
After a moment of hesitation, whether to say or not to say, Saito told Kirche about it.
“Oh my! Willpower!”
“Shh! Not so loud!”
Saito lowered his voice so that Louise, who was walking ahead of them, would not hear.
“Araa, so she returned back to Louise the Zero again? However, even if she hides it, it may be a serious disease.”
“Don’t say that. You’ll just make me more worried.”
“But, maybe it’s for the better?”
Kirche said with a serious expression on her face.
“What?”
“This child always had to carry the burden of ‘legend’ on her shoulders. I would be happy to pass it to someone else.”
It may be so, Saito thought.
Saito threw a nostalgic look at the village in front of him. Westwood Village had hardly changed.
Built deep in the forest, the plain, compact houses were hard to notice.
Once entering the place, they immediately headed towards Tiffania’s house. White smoke was rising from thatched roof.
“Oi, you’ll just come in like that?”
“Yep, it’s an easy mission anyway. Compared to the usual hardships, it’ll be child’s play.”
Guiche said while humming.
“Mo, really, you should be the last man to relax.”
“Says who? Wasn’t it you who was acting strange lately?”
“Me?”
“Indeed. Though I understand your enthusiasm about becoming sub-commander and all, somehow it’s still strange, normally you wouldn’t be so uptight. It doesn’t feel like the old you at all.”
“Really?”
“Aah, before you lived more comfortably. More at ease! Ahaha!”
Guiche laughed aloud.
“Indeed, when you don’t let your guard down like this, it’s no good.”
Kirche said.
“I command! Demon or not! Come out of this house this instant!”
Guiche stepped in front of Tiffania’s house and shouted.
“I speak in the name of whole clan! I, Guiche de Gramont, The Knight Corps of the Water Spirit commander! In the name of Her Majesty! This is a royal order!”
When there was no answer, Guiche opened the door.
Momentarily, his body stiffened.
“What? What’s wrong? Is she changing her clothes inside?” Amused, Kirche wondered and peeked inside.
Her body stiffened as well.
Saito and Tabitha looked at each other. After nodding to each other, they both at the same time pushed their heads through the doorway...
Behind the door, in the living room at the table where Saito also used to eat, two people were sitting.
One of them was Tiffania, who stared at the party with blank surprise written all over her face.
However, their nostalgic friend Tiffania was not the only one in the room. And the main problem was that other one.
Tabitha, who poked her head out of the doorway, stated.
“Fouquet.”
Indeed, Tiffania’s house guest was none other but the enemy, Fouquet. Saito’s shoulders began to tremble. He recalled the face of Wales, who met his death on the ground of Albion.
This was the woman who cooperated with the Crown Prince’s murderer Wardes.
The thief Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt.
He recalled Henrietta’s crying face, the burnt village of Tarbes and a lot of other spectacles during that miserable Albion’s campaign.
“Fouqueeeeeeeeeeet!”
Saito screamed pulling the sword from his back and leaping forwards.
The rune on his left hand shone.
His swing cut the air within a hair of Fouquet’s face. However, Fouquet was a person of no common order. Standing up without a fear of the leaping Saito, she pulled out the wand and blocked the sword.
For a moment their weapons crossed before both of them jumped back and took the attacking positions.
“What are you doing here?”
“That should be my line.”
The two simultaneously intensely stared into each others’ eyes, adjusting the timing. Then…
“Stop!”
Tiffania jumped in between them.
“Why are you two fighting?! Saito! Put your sword away!”
“B-But…”
“Matilda nee-san! Do not raise your hand against this person!”
“Matilda nee-san?”
Saito watched Fouquet. Wrong person? Though he thought so, those sharp eyes on the strong face, he really thought against her Golem before — no doubt, it was Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt.
Fouquet, wondering what was happening, watched while switching between Saito’s and Tiffania’s faces.
After that, she shook her head.
“It can’t be helped.”
Saito though, still blinded with anger, tried to plunge forward… but Tiffania clung to his arm.
“Please, Saito. Stop... Though I don’t know what happened between you, stop fighting. Please…”
Tiffania was crying.
“Damn,” Saito silently cursed under his nose, but put the sword back into its sheath again. And then with a plop, he sat down on the floor.
”Thank you.”
Tiffania showed an expression of gratitude while sobbing.
Guiche, Kirche and Tabitha looked at each other.
“Maybe now, after such a very long time, we should renew old friendships again?”
Fouquet asked in a tired voice.
Although Fouquet and the party continued to stare at each other for a while…feeling her legs getting numb, Fouquet sat on a chair.
“You too, put your wands away and sit down. Aren’t you tired after a long journey?”
Though the group looked at each other deciding what to do, but when Kirche sat down sighing "Oh well," they reluctantly followed her lead.
“Hey, Tiffania, speak up, why you are acquainted with this fellow?”
Tiffania looked at Saito as if asking, "Is it ok?" — Saito nodded. Under the circumstances, they could do nothing but explain.
Thus Tiffania explained it all to Fouquet.
How Albion’s army was held off and how she helped Saito who was about to die.
How she became acquainted to Louise and others…
“Aah, so it was you then? The one who pushed back the 70,000 Albion troops single-handedly.”
Saito nodded.
“Fufu, you did so, didn’t you. You seem to have grown up a little.”
Fouquet laughed.
“Now then, it’s our turn next. How come you and Tiffania know each other?”
Instead of Fouquet, Tiffania answered Saito.
“I told you some time ago… My father…the archduke, was responsible for royal treasury, and there was a viceroy serving in this area.”
“Ahh.”
“She’s his daughter. In fact, she’s also my life savior.”
“What?!”
Saito was surprised.
“It’s not that bad. Matilda-nee-san was sending us the money for our living expenses.”
Though Saito tried to say something, he was interrupted by Fouquet.
“Nuh-oh. Don’t talk about my former job. Let’s keep some secrets here.”
“Saito, do you know what Matilda-nee-san was doing?”
Tiffania asked while leaning forward.
“N? Ah, aah…”
“Teaching! Don’t say anything else!”
Fouquet gave Saito a piercing glare.
“If you talk — I’ll kill you.”
Saito reluctantly decided to lie. He felt sorry for Tiffania if she were to know Fouquet’s true character.
“…that—treasure hunting.”
“Treasure hunting? That’s great!”
"Fu" — Kirche pressed her hand against her mouth
“Don’t laugh.”
“What about you, Auntie? How did your La Rochelle visit end?”
To Kirche's provocation, Fouquet forced a wry smile.
“Oh, that adventure. Well, those guys ended up grasping all treasures to themselves.”
Relieved, Tiffania said,
“Therefore, no hard feelings. Not anymore. Make up. Hey, lets have a toast!”
Tiffania took out wine and glasses from the cupboard.
Thus a strange party of bitter enemies started.
Everyone continued to drink wine in silence as there wasn't really any conversation. Only Guiche was cheerful while all others were only adding, "Uh-huh, yeah." Kirche from time to time put her hand on her cleavage where she had her wand hidden, before pulling it back again. Louise was absent-minded as usual.
The person who hurt Henrietta badly was here, in person, right in front of them.
Saito chewed his lip while watching Fouquet.
Aah, how many times he dreamed of an encounter like this eye to eye.
When thinking so, he had the impulse to plunge forward now and then.
Silently drinking the wine, Fouquet soothingly asked Saito,
“So, what's the reason you're here? I doubt you're here just to drop by.”
Saito, looking back and forth between Tiffania and Fouquet…answered after some hesitation.
“…Tiffania, we came to bring you back.”
Fouquet's eyebrow twitched a little.
Tiffania was looking at Saito surprised as well.
Saito leaned forward.
“Tiffania, come together with us to Tristain.”
Troubled, Tiffania hesitated.
“But…I…”
Saito desperately continued to persuade Tiffania.
“Of course, the children will go with you. In Tristain your lives will be secure. Didn’t you say you wanted to see the outside world?”
Tiffania’s face brightened up a little.
Then, Tiffania stole an embarrassed glance at Fouquet.
Saito stared at Fouquet as well.
She will probably say it’s no good. She, who helped Tiffania for a long time, will not permit her to go together with Saito.
If so, then it'll be the sword’s turn again.
Saito slowly reached out for Derflinger.
Tension filled the room.
It was ready to blow anytime.
And then, after what felt like an eternity…
Fouquet closed her eyes and nodded.
“Good. Go with them, Tiffania.”
Surprise was clearly reflected on everybody’s faces.
“It’s time for you to see the outside world.”
“Oi! You agree!?”
“Uh-huh. Besides, I am broke now. Even if I wanted to send the remittance, I could no longer do so. That’s why I came to see you today. This is a nice opportunity.”
“Matilda-nee-san…”
Tiffania’s face fell. Fouquet walked up to Tiffania and hugged her tightly.
“Such a silly child. Why are you crying?”
While scrubbing her eyes, Tiffania answered,
“Because you were having such a hard time. Why didn’t you say so sooner?”
“Are there parents who would want their daughter to feel anxious?”
“But Matilda-nee-san is not my parent.”
“I feel like one. Because I have known you since you were so small.”
Later that night, after Tiffania cried herself to sleep…Fouquet started getting ready to leave.
“Oi, wait.”
Hastily Saito told Fouquet.
“What is it? Are you saying you still want to fight? What a troublesome child.”
“It's different. Don’t you want to say goodbye to Tiffania?”
Saito asked softly, but Fouquet shook her head.
“I’m in a hurry. I am very busy lately.”
Or is it that you simply hate goodbyes...
Not knowing what else to say, Saito silently watched Fouquet walking to the door. At the doorway, Fouquet turned around.
“That child is so naïve. She doesn't know about the world. Look after her so that she doesn't run into trouble.”
“Yeah.”
Saito nodded. Then Fouquet looked at everyone.
“Now then — next time we meet, we'll be enemies.”
“You're not an enemy now.”
“True.”
Fouquet suppressed laughter.
“See you then. Best of luck.”
But when Fouquet turned around, Saito asked her,
“Are you involved in some intrigues now as well?”
“I didn't ask you why you want to take that child with you. Therefore, you should not prompt either.”
“I want to know why. Are you not worried?”
Fouquet’s face looked lonely for a moment.
“That’s just the path I chose, I guess.”
Putting the deep hood on, Fouquet said,
“You're searching for your own way home. To see your parent’s faces again. I too, a long time ago, lost my place to return to.”
