Zero no Tsukaima:Volume15 Chapter4

Chapter 4: The Jewel of Fire

The Capital city of Gallia, Lutece.

As of now...... the betrayal of the southern vassals have triggered the current royalties and citizens to flee massively, similar to the disturbance at Albion not long ago.

Suddenly titled as an "enemy of God" by the Romalia Church, this furthermore escalates the confusion of Gallian citizens. For consecutive days, strict believers of Brimir have gathered themselves at the church of Lutece, praying for a miracle.

Distancing themselves from the Gallian King Joseph day by day, the priests and preachers, (seeing not a single trace of belief in the Gallian King himself), between the factions Gallian and Romalia, cautiously make sure that their words are not biased to either side, taking a completely neutral stand in this battle.

A week since Romalia's invasion, Lutece, once delicate to every inch, has already been submerged with a dark, "end of the world" scent.

The elite Knights of the Eastern Roses' defiance and their purge...... the frightening side of these news and their despise towards foreign armies are the only things keeping most of its original army still fighting for King Joseph..... but the morale is at an unprecedented low.

Gallia's defeat could be foreseen by any person. Everyone have developed a genuine feeling of repulsion towards a rule under Romalia, the country about to conquer these territories.

To prove themselves not "heretics", rich merchants all, acting on their own consciousness, transport carriage-full of gold and valuables to this church, the amount of "storage" representing the amount of devotion.

Consisting of plebeian class, the aristocracy and the court, Gallians attempted seek a small hope of survival for this crumbling country, and became more and more lively with the start of each day.

Yet, whenever these people are at the countryside of Lutece, at the place of Palace of Versailles...... Every glance at the ruins of the collapsed Grand Troyes courts, once containing beautiful clear sky blue walls, they can't help but feel the reality that all their work is for naught.

The original owner of the collapsed Grand Troyes courts, have already moved to a spot east of the main palace, the Concierge. As soon as Gallia has been declared as "enemy of God", the visiting ambassadors or councilors all fled to their own countries like rats fleeing a building on fire. Naturally, as of now there won't be any more guests coming forth, and eventually settled down at this place.

Sitting on the bed which replaced the dining hall's long dining table, Joseph quietly gazed at a old chest on the floor. A smile having no connections with the disturbance outside surfaced between his tidy mustache.

That chest, brought out warm memories beckoning to him.

Memories of childhood...... in the middle of the broad palace, a five-year-old Harold (Charlotte/Tabitha 's father) and the eight-year-old Joseph were playing a game of hide-and-seek.

Joseph, hid in this place after turning the place upside-down with effort. This is a popular chest among the commoners. Although it may not seem to have enough size to fit in a person, the storage space has actually been expanded up to 3 times its original size through magic. It's a one-of-its-kind magical tool.

Full of belief that he would not be found if he hid here, he made an exaggerated claim to his little brother. In the end....."pop", the lid to the chest was opened, Harold poking his head inside.

"I've found you, brother."

"You've actually found this place, wow"

"Heheh, I used 'detection' magic, then this placed started shining. Turns out this thing is a magical item."

"You've already learned how to use 'detection'? Unbelievable"

Harold's displaced a pleased face.

Softly, Joseph mumbled. "If there were any chance, I'd like to see your regretting face even just once. If that were possible, then none of these ridiculous disturbance would have happened. Take a look, your favorite Grand Troyes court, has already vanished. Your loved Lutece, is already as if situated in the fiery ovens of hell. Though said, these are all my work of art. I will not be swayed so easily. The betrayal of half a country does seem kind of sad, but this does not affect me at all. Actually, other than 'whatever', I don't have any other thoughts."

Then Joseph shook his head with a "Hmm....". "Anyways I'll first turn those guys to ashes. Half a country, will be sent to your side soon. Just sit tight and wait, Harold"

Joseph sighed. "Sigh, feels like I've become very troublesome. Originally I thought I only had to take, each street, each country, and destroy them one by one.... on second thoughts, this is actually a very tough task. It'd be better to turn them all to ashes. Of course, this Gallia would be included as well. So sit tight and build your own kingdom up there, Harold."

As he reached this point, the large doors were suddenly slammed open violently.

"Father"

Walking with wide steps, was his own daughter, princess Elisabeth. Long blue hair draped over her shoulders, a sign of royalty. Her face ,usually hanging an ominous smile, was never paler before.

"What, in the world, happened? Hearing Romalia's announcement, I had to rush back immediately from my trip at Albion. And when I come back, the entire city is a mess! I also heard that half of the country has betrayed you"

"So what?" Joseph replied, annoyed.

".....'so what' you say? It's all because of you allying with the elves, things turned out like this. Now we've become Halkenia's public enemy, haven't we?"

"It is my freedom to ally myself with anyone I like. Perhaps, those long ears, compared to us Brimir believers, have a more complicated way of thinking. Never mind, none of these matter"

Elisabeth was scared from her father's attitude, discovered unexpectedly.

Until now, although she had once thought about, something not right, weird about her father..... today was her first day to actually experience the "other side" of her father.

Elisabeth, as far as where her memories goes, have seldom talked with her father. After her mother passed away, the distance between was seperated even more.

Before Elisabeth had a chance to find anything out of place, she had already grown up.

Their status of royalty, compared to family, as King and princess, it was valued much much more.

The growing Elisabeth was surrounded by tons of maids, butlers, playmates, she never had much loneliness in her childhood.

Of course, once in a while, there is this desire to be with her family, but she would always comfort herself with the reason that "father is busy with his works".

So in the end, other than showing up for the public every now and then, they barely had any time to see each other.

His attitude, the title of "incompetent king", rumors of murdering her uncle Harold.... these things slowly turned unimportant to Elisabeth. No matter what she desires, Joseph will definitely satisfy her needs.

But now..... different from his usual, varying, difficult to approach attitude, facing him directly, has made Elisabeth tremble.

Standing in front of her, is a completely unfamiliar person.

Even so, Elisabeth drew out her courage and cried out "F-father, I do not understand at all! Isn't the country about to collapse! What would happen to me!"

"Who knows. If you don't like it then leave this country."

Violently trembling, Elisabeth's teeth chattered loudly. "....what, are you thinking right now, father?"

"Disappear from my sight. Looking at you feels like staring at myself, urg"

Unable to stand the frightening deep low voice's words, Elisabeth quickly dashed out of her father's bedroom.

In replacement, with completely black hair, Sheffield appeared.

"Myozunitonirun?"

"Vitartial/Bidashal has a message for you. Says that 'it' is almost complete."

Joseph smiled lightly, and stood up.

Joseph and Myozunitonirun, walked slowly towards the church deeper into the palace Versailles.

Facing the master and familiar who never brings anyone else with them, the knights guarding Versailles saluted and then bowed.

Both their hands were shaking, not because of the fact that their lord can use magic to bury traitors together with the entire Grand Troyes to his pleasure.

Instead, it's because...... for the purpose of suppressing the rebellion at the port of San Marin, the "research" going on brazenly in the middle of the palace and its crucial "researcher".

Since the start of this research, which is going to experimented on San Marin, a rumor began to spread among the knights and army.

"There are elves supporting Joseph"

At Romalia, announcing a crusade because of this reason, 'is just an excuse' to most of Versailles's nobles and soldiers. Few others know otherwise.....

The guards here realized that, contrary to popular belief, this is not an excuse.

Using the same pace as ever, Joseph, and his female officer black like a crow from top to bottom..... their destination, was Versailles's church, also the lab for the elves' frightening research.

The man dressed differently who call himself Vitartial/Bidashal, didn't even attempt to hide those long eards anymore. These kind of conversations continued to spread out in the city in clandestine.

"Romalia taking us as an 'enemy of God', you really can't do anything about it. More unbelievable is our country allying with heretics..... feels like we're having a nightmare" The knight sighed, after watching Joseph leave. He, was exactly one of those who saw Castlemont of the Eastern Roses' betrayal. The relatively older knight next to him, was also one of the first to be alerted after those events.

"Perhaps that night, I should have followed Castlemont and left"

"Why would you think like that?" The old knight asked his student with a soothing voice.

"If so, at least we won't be standing up against God and Founder. Compared to our founder, our lord seems to be much more interested to the elves in the church"

"It's still not too late. Like the southern vassals, just go and join the crusade"

"If you grant me permission......" The young knight, looked towards the older one. Their conversation like one between a father and child. Letting out a sigh, the old knight said "Without land or title of a baron, people like me living only on our salary, what can we do after we leave the kingdom"

That is, very true to most aristocrats of the Gallian army as well. Such giant events happening within their country's own borders, it is not possible to have no complaints at all. However, all of them rely on their country. Even if they were to join the crusade, there's no one in Romalia to guarantee their status. Those of lower status, may even be interrogated with torture for being a heretic.

Similarly an aristocrat, but those with land and actual power, unlike military men like them, their standing are completely different.

Recalling the day he was knighted, the old aristocrat scrunched his eyes and said "Listen well. Swearing for loyalty, is nothing but just that. You won't have peace anyhow. We, in meaning, were a part of this kingdom a long time ago."

"Yes" The young knight replied without any signs of grimace.

"Like always, just focus on guarding this place. In reality our existence is nothing more than seaweed on the bottom of a ship. But.... seaweed won't dry out. No matter the ship is sailing smoothly, or is sinking right now, the seaweed will always be attached on this ship."

The old knight looked far away.

"Frandal, everything will be fine as long as you do your part quietly. That's how I survived from the battlefields."

While walking, Myozunitonirun gave Joseph a report of everything that happened this week.

"About not finding Castlemont's dead body.... it seems like he's still alive. Most likely mixed in the army placed by the river Lelion."

"Is that so"

"He may try and contact with Charlotte. I believe we should take action as soon as possible....."

Joseph shook his head "There's no need"

"Why?"

"Because despair has the greated effect when you're drowned in hope. Let those guys dreaming 'maybe bringing me down' die with their hopes. Really admire them for never being able to feel this amount of despair before." That was the thoughts from the deepest parts of his mind.

"Will do" Afterwards, Myozunitonirun took half a step backwards, and bowed deeply. ".....I'm deeply sorry. After losing ten 'Golomontas'..... then not being able to control the riot at San Marin." Her voice sounded really apologetic.

"About this matter, I've already heard. Don't mention it anymore."

".....But, please give me your punishments"

"Honestly, even if I were to punish you I can't think up of any. I gave my orders, you failed. Afterwards half the country rebelled. It's just that simple. How does both things relate"

"Don't you feel angry?"

"Angry? Me? If I had an emotion called anger, maybe I wouldn't be thinking about turn the entire world into ashes right now." Joseph said with a tone of mocking himself.

"Then..... I hope you can listen to me privately. In reality, I am very anxious" As soon as Myozunitonirun finished, she blushed. Describing the reason for her anxiousness... voicing her inner voices in public feels unbearable.

"Anxious? You? Now that's something unusual"

"Yes.....that, because I saw it..... a metal war chariot with a fire power never heard of. Now I'm extremely confused. Like previous reports, a cannon excellent in every field possible bringing down our Golomontas one after another. Putting also that miraculously flying ship into consideration, the enemy may have large amounts of weaponry comparable with elven technology, this point is undeniable."

"Those weapons, does not origin from, where you came from, the 'Orient'?"

"No" Myozunitonirun shook her head. "We people of the Orient, although we did develop our own technology to protect ourselves against the elves, those are merely an imitation of elven technology."

"I hear it's relatively powerful"

"Relatively...... can't really say for sure. I am, after all, nothing more than a priest's daughter"

"Oh I remember something like that" Losing his interest, Joseph turned back and looked forward again.

"Your highness, you, don't love Miss Elisabeth?" Remembering Joseph's attitude previously, Sheffield asked her master.

"Elisabeth? How's could I. There is not a father in the world that doesn't love his daughter, to me, this is nothing but a praise for fathers. I don't see anything special between this relationship. After all, parents in this world not loving their children, there are also plenty."

"Suppose I actually loved her...." Joseph wondered with a dull tone "Un, I would definitely take care of her first. But I don't think she's a human that worthy to begin with. Every time I see her face I find traces of myself, so disgust always comes out first."

"No matter what she does, just don't obstruct your work. Is that it?"

"I guess that's pretty much it"

Sheffield hanged her head at the ground sadly. Joseph, who was walking alongside with her, didn't even bother to take notice.

Flowers blossomed on both sides of the road. After multiple stone paved walkways, a church with a shining sacred object on top of this pointed tower came into their sights. In front of the church, not a single guard could be seen. It's because the person conducting experiments inside, didn't need any to begin with. These people called elves, since ancient times, have long formed a contract with the spirits of the earth. The energy of the ground, can be called as the most powerful existence ever.

Joseph and Myozunitonirun just stepped into the church, already a bone chilling wind welcomes them. Apparently it's the beginning of summer, this wacky wind doesn't seem like a product of the building structure itself either.

Joseph, lightly sneezed.

"Have you already noticed?" Myozunitonirun asked.

"Unn, although not as apparent to me than to you. Looks like I really am a 'bearer of the void'. Feeling the true power of the enemy, my body is shaking at such a magnitude."

Deep inside the church, Myozunitonirun pulled open the veil behind the altar. What it was hiding, was a flight of stairs leading downwards.

It used to lead to the storage room of the church, but not anymore. From the look of the faint smoke coming out, it's as if there's a fire going on below.

Every step down the flight of stairs, the amount of smoke denses more.

Around halfway down, one can already see a fierce burning fire deep down. Loud fire crackling sounds echos throughout the tunnel, more painful to the ears when every step progressed.

It came from a large bonfire fueling on oversized logs.

Its sides of length around 3 miros (玫魯) (standard Halkenia unit length, I guess), forming a huge square shaped pile of wood.

There were a total of four piles like these.

One placed at each corner of the room, each one of them spouting black smoke. From a crudely made hole in the wall, large amounts of air continuously poured in, making sounds like a trumpet.

More incredible was, despite the enormous amount of fire generated, there was not an inch in this basement that can be called hot. On the contrary, it was as if one was in mid-winter.

"Although I have heard most of it before, it is still one heck of a sight"

"By absorbing the heat around it, formed by condensing. The thing called, the jewel of fire....."

The inexplicable reason for the contradicting sights and temperature has been revealed. A faint smile floated on Myozunitonirun's face.

In the exact center of the room, there was a small sized altar. In front of the altar, having long, as if transparent, golden hair, the elf had his hands raised high, completely focused of chanting spells.

It's the figure of Bidashal.

"O'Flames. O'Flames by thee contract, heed my words and reside here"

Chanting, the so called 'elemental' magic, in Bidashal's hands, laid a fist sized red gem.

"......"

Red, or more accurately, a brilliant glow came from the flame-like interiors of the transparent gem.

Realizing Joseph walking close, Bidashal raised his head.

"I heard it's already done."

"I merely nodded my head when that woman asked 'Is it ready to a degree that can be used?'. There's no definite concept to define the completion of 'the jewel of fire'. It's a gem that condenses the power of fire. Regardless of size, the gem is just that. Finished or not, will depend on your judgements."

After hearing his words, Joseph laughed loudly.

"Elves really are a different kind! These sort of things, just make your own sensible judgements."

"My kin abhors ambiguity" Bidashal winced his eyes, staring straight down at Joseph. A natural jewel of fire, is made from the natural energy underground. A level so deep that it would be impossible for humans to reach. To the elves, even if they were to dig such a hole, its gain would not be nearly enough to cover its losses.

To control the powers of the fire requires immense skill, definitely out of a human's capability, explaining the tiny amount of population in Halkenia with knowledge of its existance. Unfortunately, right beside Joseph..... the mysterious lady called Myozunitonirun is part of the tiny population, and raised Joseph's interest in it.

"And, how do you plan to use it?"

"Jewel of wind is a gem containing the powers of wind..... Jewel of fire is a gem containing the powers of fire, no?"

Even in the elven populations, only a few highly regarded powerful users have the ability to produce one. Bidashal, is one of those few.

"Simply said, yes. I do not believe you nobles can correctly understand the concept anyway"

"Concept or whatever. The result is everything. Then, this small little stone, how many acres of land can it turn into ashes?"

Bidashal frowned hard. From Joseph's words he has a fair concept of Joseph's intention. For the elves, the jewel of fire is only a tool for warming the streets in the winter; illuminating the streets at night...... using it for destruction, they've never dared thought about it.

"According to me..... if you release all the stored energy instantaneously..... in terms of your units, a 10 square miles, no, if it's this size, everything within 20 square miles will not be spared. But, how do you plan to release it? Against something powerful enough to seal this amount of energy, it's impossible to just unlock it."

"Using your 'void', you should be able to do it, no? Myozunitonirun?"

Myozunitonirun's smilled even more. "Affirmative"

Hearing this, Bidashal's face lost colour. "Using void magic? You? How, possible.... you?"

"What, you never knew?"

"How could, no, is it true? You are the bearer of this evil power? How could it....." Bidashal shook his head in disbelief.

"Who else you thought would be more worthy being of Gallian's King?"

"At least, I never thought it would be you. This is such a coincidence'

"Why would you say that? I never intended to hide anything from you"

"I completely don't understand what you're thinking. Are humans creatures at all? And yet you stand in front of me like nothing! To you guys, isn't this the final blow? What you're doing right now, isn't it, what you call, 'revealing your final card' to your enemies?" Feeling disgust for the first time in his life, Bidashal gave Joseph a look of hatred.

"Is that so. So, what do you plan to do after you know? Kill me? You can bury the man capable of 'reviving the void', your worst nightmares, in your own hands. Or, do you continue to insist what you said 'I don't like wars' that kind of thing?" As if happy with glee from the bottom of his heart, Joseph said. Bidashal gave expressions of regret.

".....It will only cause a new demon to revive."

"Oh, interesting. Do you mean there will be something else to replace me after I die?"

"....It's about time for that to happen. If it's you, you can stop it"

"Great. Like those Romalia idiots, in addition now we have a even more horrible nightmare. Therefore you must protect me with all your power, follow my words" Joseph patted Bidashal's shoulders sarcasticlly.

"Maybe, I will turn out to be the person who understands elves most."

"This is Not 'understand'" Bidashal said, trying to control his raged voice.

"Different point of views. Let me answer your question just now. But, seeing how smart you are, I'm sure you already know how I'm going to use this gem"

Bidashal understood everything in an instant. "Are you serious!?!? You. There will not be a single strand of grass, a single bug left. This is not even a metaphor! Can you do that kind of thing, to your own kind?"

"If it's me, of course"

"Demon!"

"I wonder who of us is the real demon? The person who made this terrible terrible crystal, who was that person from where again? No matter how much you point at me, you know that I won't change my mind. Come back to your senses. You don't care how many I kill anyway, my dear elf"

Bidashal's eyes showed signs of fury. To an elf that seldomly show any emotions at all, this is a very rare occasion. "I shouldn't have came here after all."

"No you shouldn't have. That way you would've never noticed the demon inside yourself. But relax, bows and bullets have done no wrong. To do good or evil is up to the free will of the user. Just look at things simply like that."

Joseph left Bidashal's side.

"Make 2, 3 more of things like that. Relax, you are not going to be the person who gets to use it. I am."

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