Zero no Tsukaima:Volume3 Chapter7
Saito’s eyes went round at the sight of the “Dragon’s Raiment”. They were in the temple built close to Siesta’s hometown, Tarbes. That was where the “Dragon’s Raiment” lay. Actually it would be more correct to say that the temple had been built to cover the Dragon’s Raiment. The shape which Siesta’s grandfather had built the temple into made Saito nostalgic. The temple was built in the corner of a field. It’s door was made by logs joined together, and its walls were made from planks and mortar instead of stone. On top of an area of the wooden floor painted dark green lay the Dragon’s Raiment. Perhaps it was due to the permanence spell… there were no signs of rusting. It was as if it had just been made.
Kirche and Guiche looked at the Dragon’s Raiment, dispirited. As if struck by curiosity, Tabitha looked at it with interest. Amazed, Saito stared at the Dragon’s Raiment.
“Saito, are you ok? If I showed you anything to make you feel bad…” Said Siesta is a worried voice.
Saito didn’t reply. He continued to gaze at the Dragon’s Raiment as though he were deeply moved.
“Of course this thing can’t fly” Said Kirche.
Guiche nodded.
“This is some sort of canoe right? And those wings, it’s like toy bird or something. Look at the wings, as if they can even move. Not to mention that even the wings of small dragons are the size of these wings. Dragons and wyverns can only fly because they can flap their wings. So much for ‘Dragon’s Raiment’.”
Guiche pointed at the Dragon’s Raiment and nodded, convinced that he was right.
“Saito… Are you really alright?”
Saito grasped Siesta’s shoulders as she was peering into his face. Saito spoke feverishly.
“Siesta.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Did your grandfather leave behind anything else?”
“Um… the only worthy things are his grave and a few of his belongings.”
“Show me them.”
The grave of Siesta’s grandfather, was located in the village cemetery. The tombstones were made from large white stones. Among them, there was a tombstone made from a black stone, creating a clear contrast with the others.
Words were inscribed on the tombstone.
“My grandfather made this tombstone before he died. It’s written in a language from a different country, so no one has been able to read it. I wonder what it says…” Said Siesta.
Saito read it out loud.
“Navy ensign Sasaki Takeo, rests in another world.”
“What?”
Siesta’s eyes widened at Saito, who read it fluently.
Saito looked at Siesta feverishly, causing her to blush.
“Stop… If you look at me like that…”
Black hair, black pupils… This nostalgic feeling… So that’s why, Saito thought, realizing why he was feeling nostalgic.
“Siesta, you were told that your hair and eyes were similar to your grandfather’s right?” Said Saito much to Siesta’s surprise.
“Y-Yes! How did you know that?”
Returning to the temple, Saito touched the “Dragon’s Raiment”. When he did, the runes on the back of his left hand started to shine. I see, so this must also be considered a “weapon”, Saito thought as he looked at the machine guns sticking out from the wings. As the runes shone, the construction and the controls of it came clearly to Saito. He could fly this himself, he thought.
Finding the fuel tank, he opened it. Just as he expected, it was empty. No matter how much it was preserved, it still couldn’t fly without gasoline. I wonder how he had wondered into Halkeginia with this plane… He wanted to trace the trail, no matter what answer it would lead to.
Siesta returned from her parent’s home.
“Everyone was really surprised since I’m two weeks earlier than I said I would be”
Siesta excitedly handed over the items in her hands to Saito. They were old goggles, probably the ones her grandfather wore as a navy ensign. The same as the owner of the staff of destruction which Saito had used to defeat Fouquet’s golem, someone from another world. A foreigner, like Saito.
“Grandfather only left this behind. He didn’t keep a diary or anything like that. But father said he left behind a will.”
“A will?”
“Yes. ‘If someone who could read the inscription on the tomb appeared, give him the Dragon’s Raiment’.”
“Meaning it’s mine now?”
“Yes. Father said it was alright to hand it over. It was a bother to take care of anyway… It’s big and there are some people who worship it… but it’s just collecting dust in this village.”
“Well, I won’t hesitate then” Said Saito.
“Father also wanted me to tell you something.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he wants you to return the Dragon’s Raiment to the king. King… I wonder which king he means. We don’t even know which country my grandfather is from…”
“He’s from my country” Said Saito.
“Really? So that’s why you could read the words on the tombstone. Wow! I’m kind of moved. My grandfather was from the same country as Saito. It seems like fate.” Siesta said absentmindedly.
“Then grandfather really did come to Tarbes using the Dragon’s Raiment.”
“This isn’t called the Dragon’s Raiment.”
“What is it called in Saito’s country?”
Looking at the thing called “Dragon’s Raiment”, Saito remembered when fitted together a plastic model when he was small. Why would someone call it such a name? Perhaps it was just easier to understand that way. The same with the “staff of destruction”.
He looked at the country’s symbol drawn on the wings and the body of the place. A red dot. It seemed like it had white colored around it, but like the body of it, it was covered by the dark green paint. The character for the dragon zodiac sign was written on the black cowling. It was probably the name of the unit he was in.
Just from seeing such old things from his own world, it was a very nostalgic feeling.
Saito replied, “It’s called a Zero fighter. It was a fighter aircraft used in the past in my country.”
“Zero fighter? Fighter aircraft?”
“In other words, an airplane”
“It’s a plane? The one you mentioned before?”
Saito nodded.
That day, they all stayed at Siesta’s home. As nobles were staying over, even the village chief came to greet them. Siesta introduced Saito to her family, her father, mother and siblings. Siesta was the eldest daughter of the eight siblings. Her parents viewed Saito in a harsh light at first, but that was soon broken by Siesta telling them that he was looking after her at the academy. Having not returned home for a while Siesta looked quite happy being surrounded by family. Saito actually was envious of her. When he thought about it, Louise, Kirche, Tabitha and Guiche all had families. He also had one, but he couldn’t meet them like this. Even if he wanted to meet them, he didn’t even know where to start heading.
In the evening, Saito gazed out at the wide field. The sun was setting behind the mountains beyond the field. It was a really big field. Just as Siesta had said, flowers were blooming everywhere. So this is the beautiful field that Siesta wanted to show me.
The pilot who ended up in this world with the zero fighter probably tried to find a way home by flying in the sky… But his fuel ran out and he landed on this field. The field was flat and wide, so landing here was probably easy. He couldn’t fly when he was asked to because he had run out of gasoline.
Siesta came to Saito, who was still gazing at the field, drowned in the memories of his world. She was wearing a brown skirt, wooden shoes and a dark green cotton shirt, instead of her usual maid outfit. Like the field in front of him, her appearance was like that of the smell of sunlight.
“So you were here! Dinner’s ready. Father insists we eat together.” Said Siesta shyly.
“I did ask you to come visit, but I didn’t expect it to really happen.”
Siesta stretched both her arms out at the wide field before them. The setting sun bathed the field in a beautiful light.
“Isn’t this field beautiful? This is what I wanted to show Saito.”
“Yeah, it is.”
Siesta then cast her eyes downwards and twiddled her fingers.
“My father said that meeting with someone who came from the same country as grandfather must be fate. He asked if you could settle in the village. And then said if you did then I… could stop my work at the academy and return here with you.”
Saito didn’t reply. He just stared at the sky. He was thinking of how kind Siesta was to him. If she said any more nice things to him, his heart would probably melt. He felt lonely when he saw Siesta happily sitting and chatting with her family. But, after seeing the zero fighter, his homesickness grew much more intense.
Siesta looked at Saito who was still staring at the sky and smiled.
“But, it’s alright. I know it won’t work out. You’re like a bird. You’re bound to fly away some day.”
Saito then decided to tell Siesta the truth.
“Your grandfather said he came from the east right?”
“Um…yes” Siesta said, slightly worried.
“Your grandfather, and myself too, weren’t born in this world.”
“You were born in Roba Aru Kariei in the east right?”
“No. It is much, much further than that.” Said Saito in a serious tone.
“It’s a different world. I’m not from this world.”
“You’re just playing around with me aren’t you? If you don’t like me, then just say it.” Said Siesta, pouting her lips.
“No, it’s not that at all. I’m not playing around with you.”
“Is there someone waiting for you there?”
“No. But my family is waiting. I’m someone who must leave this world for my own world someday.”
Saito turned to Siesta, and said weakly, “That’s why I can’t do the things you said just then.”
Saito was very serious. Siesta knew he wasn’t joking around.
“I can protect people with my power while I’m here. But that’s all. I don’t have the right to reside with anyone. I don’t.”
“But my grandfather did, didn’t he?”
“Your grandfather didn’t have the power of Gandalfr like I do. Up until now, there have been many enemies, but I’ve defeated them with this power. I feel as though this power will guide me.”
“Then… Can I wait for you? I don’t have any qualities, but I can wait. If you try your best to try and find a way home and you still don’t find it, then…”
Siesta then became silent. If that really happened, what would he do? Saito thought. His pulse raced just by looking at Siesta. She cute, and stunning without clothes on. She’s kind as well and can even cook. She’s a great girl. But, that was more of a reason why he couldn’t promise her.
Regaining herself, Siesta smiled.
“A carrier owl just sent this. It seems like the teachers are very angry. Miss Zerbst and Mr Gramont were pale. They mentioned me as well. They said that I could have a holiday for the time being. The princess’s wedding is coming soon anyway. So, until the holiday ends I’ll be here.”
Saito nodded.
“Um… so can you make that Dragon’s Raiment fly?”
With gasoline, probably, thought Saito.
“I’m not sure. But I have someone to talk it over with first. If I do get it to fly, I want to go to the lands in the east. Your grandfather flew over from there right? There must be some hint there.” Said Saito, watching the setting sun.
“Really? If you could get it to fly, then it would be wonderful. The Dragon’s Raiment was called a Zero fighter right? If you get it to fly, then please let me ride it just once.”
Saito nodded.
“I can let you ride it as many times as you like. It was your family’s to begin with anyway”
The following morning, they carried the zero fighter in a large net. With the connections of Guiche’s dad, they borrowed a few dragoons and their dragons and transported the zero fighter over to the academy.
Guiche initially wondered why they were carrying such a thing over, but because Saito insisted on it, he gave in. Making a large net, calling the dragoons, the costs were ridiculously high. Troubled, Saito obviously couldn’t pay such a large sum of money. But as soon as the zero fighter arrived in the courtyard of the academy, someone appeared in an instant and paid the fees. It was Mr Colbert.
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