Zero no Tsukaima:Volume8 Chapter6 - MTL

It was just the second moon of January since the end of the war… On the first week of the moon of Hagar, on Freyja's week, one by one, nobles from all countries gathered up in Albion’s capital Londonium.

Londonium.

Compared to all other cities of Halkeginia, had a new atmosphere around it. To the central portion of the town was made from skillfully handled stones, which continued to build up due to constant ruling.

One hundred years ago, Londonium was hit with conflagration, and because the town outlines were made of wood, it almost burned down completely. By the order of that time Albion’s king, wooden constructions of buildings were forbidden in Londonium since then.

It was also a meant to increase Albion's air force power that would roar over Halkeginia, as it protected the timber resources needed. It had the powerful fleet established with abundant timber, and looked down at all Halkeginia from above the clouds…

However, now it was only a fairy tale of the past.

At present – Albion was a poultry placed on the table. Wings and nails were taken off and put on the plate – burnt poultry. Helkeginia’s most powerful were staring at the meat like starving wolves.

The havirand palace of Londonium was filled with people like in a party.

Galia, Germania, Romalia… kings and the emperors of each country came on their will with many vassals as waiters just to fight over the share of this poultry.

The Queen of the Kingdom of Tristain, Henrietta’s name was also listed in the ‘Nations conference’, as she was invited to attend the part two weeks ago.

Henrietta sat at the round table of Whitehall.

Next to her, Cardinal Mazarini could be seen. Near them was Germania’s emperor, whom Henrietta was about to have married before, Albrecht the III. In the duel for power between 40 men, he won emperor's seat and now was looking at Henrietta with dirty-minded eyes

When Henrietta glared back courageously, he gave a broad grin.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness Princess Henrietta.”

“I’m afraid I am a queen now, Your Excellency.”

The nose of Albrecht the III turned pale.

He looked grateful at the Romalia’s ambassador, who sat in front of Henrietta. Romalia, who had a small militia participation, had very little to say in this conference.

Therefore, only the ambassador was participating.

Nearside, General Hawkins was fulfilling his duty as the plenipotentiary Albion ambassador. Dauntless features were on this man; in his prime years face. Despite kings were sitting in a row before him, he had no fear. His chest was put out in a dignified manner, not showing the pathos of the defeated army general. Germania’s emperor who sat next him, didn’t like such an attitude at all.

“But…that guy is late.”

Albrecht the III muttered to Henrietta.

“You mean king Joseph?”

Joseph, the king Galia, has not shown up yet.

“Yes. The incapable lady-killer. No one else from the country suited to be Galia’s king. Do you know? It is said that he got the throne by killing his younger brother. Such a very shameless person.”

Such were the rumors…

Loud steps were heard behind the door, then it opened.

There stood a beautiful looking blue-haired man.

The announcer called in a perplexed tone.

“His Majesty; King of Galia!”

He seemed to have a charming figure. Visible back muscles were like one of the ancient gladiators'. The neatly tightened face, framed by a blue beard.

It was Joseph, king of Galia.

The king of Galia watched everyone who gathered, with a broad smile on his face.

“This, this! Everyone is here! All Helkeginia’s kings meeting in this place, unbelievable! A happy day! A happy day!”

Joseph notices Albrecht the III and tapped his shoulder.

“Dear emperor, Your Excellency! I am sorry for not attending the coronation! Are your relatives doing fine? I mean the ones that you lent your castle, so that you may hold that crown.”

Albrecht the III turned pale. This castle ‘lending’ - scathing sarcasm. Joseph was making fun of Albrecht the III, who imprisoned his rivals in the castle tower.

“A hard door and splendid chains were used for their own protection! Moreover, they are even given food. One bread crust, one glass of water, and firewood after two weeks when their bodies became cold. The purpose is to keep them healthy. The luxury is bad for the body. You are really a kind emperor! I would like to learn that too!”

“Aye, thank you.” Albrecht the III muttered, loosing his composure. Then Joseph turned his face and this time took Henrietta’s hand.

“Oh. Princess Henrietta. You have grown. I wonder if you still remember me? We met at the end of a certain garden party at Langdorian lake. At that time, you were beautiful like a flower, that made all Halkeginia’s flower hang their heads in shame. And now you are a beautiful queen of peaceful Trsitain. Aye. Peaceful.”

Without looking at Hawkins and the ambassador in Romalia, king Joseph sat at the head of the table. As if it was most natural thing.

Though Albrecht the III made a face as if wanting to say something… Joseph waved it off. Then, as if still in his royal palace, he cracked his finger joints.

Then the servants brought trays with various dishes – like Howai, Toho, etc were brought in.

Before Henrietta and Albrecht the III, a large amount of food were placed. Henrietta and others looked at it in astonishment. It generously included even abundantly gorgeous ingredients. For such one plate some people would not be able to earn even working one full year.

“The dish and the wine I obtained from Galia. I am sorry for the shoddiness, but this dish is nothing compared to the treat from the whole country, so enjoy yourselves!” The waiter poured wine into the cup, which king Joseph hung.

Henrietta’s and others cups were filled with blood-red wine as well.

“Leaders of all Halkeginia. Though it is small, first of all, let us hold the feast of celebration. The war ended. Peacefully, let’s take a toast for us!“

* * *

The feast continued for three hours… and ended because of a sudden retire from Joseph, Galia’s king. After only making noises of eating and drinking, he yawned, and said "I am sleepy" and stood up, leaving in a hurry.

As for the conference itself - nothing was done. Whenever the King of Galia opened his mouth, did nothing but recommend cooking to kings, who sat in a row, and toasting, repeatedly.

Puzzled, Henrietta and others left as well.

“We are being conciliated - the real thing will start tomorrow.”

Germania’s emperor muttered and while shaking his belly stuffed with gorgeos dishes , went out of the Whitehall. Henrietta listlessly, with elbows tightly pressed against her side, stood up.

That moment… General Hawkins came in front of Henrietta. And bowed deeply.

“With all due respect, may I have a word with Your Majesty?”

Mazarin, who was nearby, tried to intervene, but Henrietta stopped him.

“First of all, thank you for the generous treatment all Albion’s people received. They are exhausted by a long war. You controlled not with the wand, but with the bread. By the power that the beautiful His Majesty shines upon everyone, the people of the white country were led correctly. With all this generous treatment… could you not ask for compensation.”(there is something odd here)

“Right or wrong was the war – the people should not be punished. Don’t worry.”(there is something odd here too)

Hawkins bowed deeply. Henrietta tried to pass him, but he still detained her.

“Is there something else?”

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty’s army was saved by only one hero. Do you know that?”

Henrietta shook her head.

As a matter of fact, the rumor about Saito stopping the Albion army was not delivered to Henrietta. Senior military officials could never admit being saved by a single fencer. As a result, such rumor was silenced before reaching Henrietta in a shape of report.

“I do not know.”

“Honestly. Honestly… running away generals in attempt to save their own hides, changed the story in their country.”

“What was that?”

Hawkins told Henrietta.

How the Albion army, that pursued Allied Forces, was stopped by a single swordsman.

As a result, the Albion army missed Allied Forces which tried to run away from Rosais…

Henrietta’s mind was in turmoil. The heart that never trembled after the end of the war, now began to shake.

“Swordsman… Really?”

“Yes, swordsman. Black haired boy with a foreigner’s face.”

Not hiding feelings, with straight look, Hawkins said.

“The hero raged on, he even pointed a sword to the tip of my nose, until he fell down exhausted. Then, he started to move again and disappeared in the forest… I guess, he did not survive with all those injuries. Yet, it was his deed that saved Your Majesty’s army. Only one swordsman… held back tens of thousands of army troops. It’s needed to give a corresponding honor for the hero.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Henrietta thanked him in a shaky voice.

Black haired fencer from a foreign country…

…Could it be Louise’s familiar, listed between the names of killed in action?

Hiraga saito.

Strange sounding name.

Boy who came from the different world.

Void’s familiar.

Legendary Gandalfr…

Some time ago, when my mind was blinded, when I turned my wand to Louise… He stopped my spell, Henrietta recalled.

Once again, he stopped.

Not once, but twice… he stopped it.

Hawkins said, looking distant.

“If not him… Today, Your Majesty’s and mine seats would have been reversed. By all means, bless that brave man. In the name of Your Majesty, give him the blessing.”

* * *

That night… in a Havirand’s palace room, Henrietta was lost in thought. It was a gorgeous room made to entertain the guests from the foreign countries.

Someone knocked against the door. One long, two short knocks. It was one an arbitrary sign.

“Come in.”

The door opened, revealing Agnes. She carried no weapons or armor and was dressed in simple, plain clothes.

“Did you find out something?”

When Henrietta asked, Agnes shook her head.

“No… there were no clues obtained.”

“I see.” Henrietta nodded.

Following Henrietta, Agnes came to Albion. The South Gotha revolts from the Tristain army… suddenly, as if woken up from a dream, returned to their side attacking Albion’s army and joining allies.(this is strange)

All soldiers and officers answered the same upon explaining the temporary revolt – “I thought it was necessary to do so.” Was it the cause of some sort of magic – no one knew. It was strange that ten thousands of officers and experienced men sudden abandoned the victory, still, the cannon ball was shot out and no one could return it. Agnes, following Henrietta’s orders, investigated it for a long time.

“We thought that the water of South Gotha city may be the cause, and let mages to examine it, yet, no matter how long we examined it – it was still a common, normal water. Though noble’s pointed out the possibility of Primal Magic… there is no evidence. We are in a deadlock.”

“I see… Though a mysterious event, you should not give up the hunt for the truth. There are no limits.”

Agnes bowed.

“I did not match Her Majesty's expectations; there are no excuses.”

“Lift your head Agnes. My commander. You are not responsible. Mysterious things that never have been clarified happens in this world, of all the time. Primal magic, sacred ground, demi-humans, elves, lands of the east, other side of the ocean and void. Each one of them makes the mind puzzled.”

“Indeed.”

Agnes said in a tired voice. Agnes was always in a motion these days. Her face looked as if it lost it’s zeal somewhere.

“Commander, I want to give you a new duty.”

“With pleasure…”

Henrietta spoke about what she heard from general Hawkins in the Whitehall today.

“Miss Valliere’s boy familiar?”

“It is so. He saved Allied Forces… and the mother country. By all means, it is necessary to confirm if he is alive or dead. The point where he fought against the Albion army in south Gotha area… I hear that it is in the northeast of Rosais.”

“Certainly.”

Agnes saying so, bowed and tried to go out of the room again.

“Please wait.”

“What is it?”

To the surprised Agnes, Henrietta offered a cup from the table.

“Sake?”

Though Agnes lifted the cup while talking, she didn’t press her lips to it.

“There is something I want to ask you. Not as a queen, but as a woman… asking a senior woman.

“What?”

“…What does revenge bring? Emptiness? Sorrow? Do you regret your doings?”

“Revenge?”

Agnes shut her eyes.

“Me too… cannot find it.”

After the musketeer commander left...

Henrietta thought about the boy that saved the mother country and herself..

She poured wine into the cup again.

While watching the liquid that swung on the inside, Henrietta slowly traced her lips with a finger.

The lips, as if by same spell, felt like on fire… Henrietta’s cheeks slightly blushed

* * *

Saito glared at the firewood, hanging on the rope thrown over the tree branch.

“Kiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeee!”

While screaming he pulled out the sword and lowered it.

-Kachink- came the sound of it hitting the firewood

Then again, he aimed the sword to it and lowered. Wood was diagonally cut and slipped down to ground. Applauses came from children who were watching that sort of show from surroundings.

Saito wiped away the perspiration from his brow.

He was practicing since the morning. He was doing it together with rehabilitation. Whenever he gets up in the morning - he instantly runs around the forest. Run’s long. After that, he goes swinging, day by day, he practices. Derflinger was a useful coach. And children were the curious audience watching.

“Hey?”

Saito asked Derflinger.

“Haah haah. Is it all right? Hah, I am only swinging the sword. As such I only train physical strength, but not the skills.”

“Indeed. However, there is no sparring partner…”

“Aarah. What if there were an expert? You loose even against kids who can swing the sword only a little.”

“Don’t say so bluntly.”

Saito glared at Derflinger.

“Besides, they are short. It’s no good defeating short partners.”

“Damn…”

“Even though it’s regrettable, swing the sword. Right now, the partner is not Gandalfr anymore…”

“ I know.”

Under the care of Derflinger, Saito continued training.

It continued for two hours…

“T-tired…”

Saito was lying on the ground.

“Mercy. I’m wasted.”

“…you’ve been saying that since the morning.”

Still it was a comfortable tiredness. When in Japan he was not moving around as much as in here. The sun dazzled through the crevice of trees and Saito closed his eyes.

“However…”

Saito watched his hand.

“What?”

“I did not think I can move this way.”

He said slightly surprised.

Compared with time in Japan he considerably added to his physical strength. If it were old days, it would be impossible for him to run such distance while swinging the sword. Derflinger was not light at all. A large sword. His old self would not been able to swung it around at all.

“Therefore, it is good for you to have a hard time practicing. However, I am saying it clearly said clearly, as an experineced old-timer in combats – you are still an amateur after all, don’t get over-confident.” “I’m not over-confident.”

“Yet, you are still not on the level to withstand an actual combat. Do not conceit.”

“Nonsense.”

“Aah, partner you should practice with a sword at least…”

Derflinger mutters hurt.

“Mo, I know that myself! But I can’t do that unflaggingly.”

Saito stood up.

“U-ummm…”

Turning around he saw hesitant Tiffania standing.

“What's wrong?”

“…W-will you eat lunch?”

Surrounding children shouted with joy.

The lunch was prepared in the garden behind Tiffania's house.Actually, even if you call it garden, because it doesn’t have any separations from the forest, it was impossible to tell where is the garden and where is the forest.

Tiffania started placing dishes on the table. It was bread with mushroom stew. Seeing that Saito suddenly noticed that he is very hungry.

“Itadakimasu!”

He shouted loudly and began to eat greedily. For a moment, Tiffania was astonished, but then smiled gently. Children were also interested in Saito's behavior, who was loudly gobbling and munching it up.

Noticing such children’s attention, Saito blushed, and started to eat slower.

“It is delicious. Thank you.”

Tiffania laughed while smiling.

Those children who finished the meal, began to pester Tiffania.”

“Tiffa-neechan! Let’s play!”

“Hey hey, I still haven’t finished eating yet…”

“Uwaa! Tiffa onee-chan, mama…”

The boy, approximately ten years of age, buried his face between Tiffania’s breasts, making Saito instinctively spout the stew.

“Gim! Aren’t you big already? You can’t depend on mother forever.”

“Because… Tiffa-neechan grew bigger, just like mother…”

Saito became suspicious about what the boy named Gim said.

“…Hey, your ayes are not discerning. After two-three years your eyes should be able to distinguish. Busted!”

When he said so, Gim glared at Saito.

“Tiffa-neechan belongs just for me!”

“Yes?”

Gin ran away.

“What… he misunderstood.”

When he faced Tiffania he saw her firmly grasped fist resting on the knee.

“Tiffa?”

“N-no! I, I watched you practicing only because you looked happy, and I was just c-curious, so….”

Apparently, she was watching practice. And Gim felt jealous.

Saito smiled wryly.

"I understand. Because I am next to your age you are interested, right?”

Tiffania nodded silently. Tiffania grew up in a limited space and has not spoken to the teens of a similar age.

“…But, I wonder.”

“About what?”

“I am not scared of you. The dragon knight boys that I helped some time ago, were scary somehow…”

“I wonder why.”

“Oh well…I thought that maybe the reason that you are not afraid of me, as when I am feared I become insecure myself, but it is somehow different with you…” Apparently, Rene and other’s were afraid of Tiffania. Oh dear, that could be it. Halkeginia’s nobles seemed to be afraid of elves due to the wars…

However, since Saito was not a noble from Halkeginia, he did not take part in wars either.

“Nonsense. Who would be afraid of such cute girl like you?”

When Saito said so, trying to comfort Tiffania, she hesitantly turned.

However …when she hesitantly turned with both of her hands on her knees, naturally, her breast were pushed over her hands. Huge, changing shape fruits. He did not know where to look. 　 Tiffania noticing that Saito turn his eyes away shamefully, in panic covered her chest.

Though she gave Saito a light glare…as if remembering something, she became serious again.

“But…you really don’t want to inform them?”

Saito nodded with the serious look as well. This morning, Tiffania asked if he didn’t want to inform his family that he is all right. He said to Tiffania that though he wanted to return back to that place, no one cared if he is alive or not… “Family who was left in Tristain does not worry?”

“It’s all right.”

“I could send a letter…”

“It’s all right.” Saito repeated lonely.

“Your family will surely be worried about your safety.”

“There is no family in Tristain.”

“Then, where are they?”

“In a place where letters do not reach.”

“…Eh?”

“It is nothing. Please forget it.”

Tiffania, not knowing what to say, became silent. Then noticing that Saito's stew plate is almost empty, Tiffania took it up.

“I, I’ll bring seconds.”

Saying so she disappeared in the house.

Saito lightly bit his lip.

After all, maybe he should tell the truth?

That there is a Void's user besides Tiffania to whom I was familiar.

Though that might worry her…

He felt someone’s presence. Did Tiffania return already? That was very fast. Though I wanted some time to prepare my mind for this moment, there is no other way.

Saito said in a constrained voice.

“Though I do not have family in Tristain, however… there is an important person.Yet… I do not have the skills needed to appear in front of that person anymore. I’m not a familiar of that person already. Therefore…”

His hesitant explanation was interrupted by a low woman’s voice.

“What are you doing here?”

It wasn’t Tiffania’s voice.

Frightened Saito looked up.

The commander of the musketeers stood there.