VOLUME 2 ~ CHAPTER 1
Saito, lying in his bed, slowly opened his eyes. The twin moons in full circle shone onto the room, lighting it up brightly. Louise, sleeping in her bed, moaned as though she was having a nightmare.
Saito prayed that she would continue to sleep. He quietly got up and slowly approached the sleeping Louise.
“What is it partner? Not Sleeping?” Derflinger asked Saito quite abruptly.
“Shhhh...” Saito turned around and put his index finger onto his lips.
“Don't want me to speak? Why not?”
“Shhhh...” Saito shook his head, once again drew his middle finger across his lips and stared at his partner, Derflinger, with annoyance.
“I won’t forgive you for giving me the cold shoulder. My partner wakes up in the middle of the night without telling me a reason. This makes me angry and depressed!”
After saying this, Derflinger moved and shook his body, like he was really angry. What a difficult sword.
Awakened by the rattling of the sword, Louise turned around and opened her eyes.
Saito’s heart skipped a beat.
Sitting up, Louise started to scold Saito.
“Don’t be so full of yourself! You better do some cleaning up, don't you see the dust gathered everywhere? Don’t tell me that you have done it already, you slow-witted fool. You’re such a dimwit!”
Saito’s body was frozen solid, as though the “Harden” spell had been casted on him.
But after Louise finished scolding Saito, she lay down once more and slept. Apparently, she was just talking in her sleep. Even in her sleep, Louise was ordering Saito about. Saito felt simultaneously relieved and saddened.
Derflinger, who was watching Saito all this time, gave a hapless sigh.
“She’s talking in her dreams, huh? But it doesn’t seem to be music to your ears, Saito.”
Saito stared angrily at Derflinger, who had almost spoiled his plan and quickly walked towards him and said, “You better keep quiet, you idiot!”
“You’re really too much, I shall not forgive you! If my partner wants me to be silent, then I will definitely be silent! But for suddenly waking up in the middle of the night and being so sneaky about it, you’ll definitely suffer retribution even if you tell me your reason now.”
Derflinger’s sense of curiosity is the same as his partner's. It seems he wants to know Saito’s reason for waking up in the middle of the night no matter what it takes.
Saito sighed, and then pointed to the sleeping Louise.
“What about the Noble’s daughter?”
“What do you think partner?”
Saito used his hands and made a gesture resembling a heart.
“What does that mean?”
“It represents love.”
“That girl likes you, partner?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
Saito stood up, and danced while not making any noise.
“Ah... you are referring to the ball?”
“You saw Louise’s expression while we were dancing, right?”
“Yeah, I saw it.”
“Her face was so red...” Saito said while in a daze.
“Yeah, it was very red.”
“She seemed to want to hold my hands and not let them go.”
“Are you sure!?”
“Derf, you’re just a piece of metal, so you’ll never understand a girl’s heart. If a girl looks at a boy like that, it means she’s indirectly telling him that she likes him.” Saito said, while knocking on the sword.
“True, I’m but a sword, and I don’t understand interpersonal relationships at all. But since you say so partner, it must probably be true.”
Saito nodded happily and said, “You’re really sensible, Derflinger!”
“Then, my good partner, since you’re sure that she likes you, are you going to ravish her?”
“Yes! I’m sure that she likes me, and I think I'm gonna ravish her!... Err, what does 'ravish' mean?”
“That’s impossible. I’ve been around for a long time and this is the first time I’ve heard of a familiar ravishing its master. You’re incredible!”
“Ah... that feels good. Come, praise me again.”
“My partner, you’re fantastic!”
Saito stood up and buoyantly asked, “Derf, who's the most handsome man in the world?”
“Of course it’s you, partner.”
“Who is the greatest person in this world without magic?”
“Of course it’s you, partner.”
The praises went straight to Saito's head. He felt as if the whole world was cheering for him. One has to wonder if he has a problem with his IQ.
“Louise is really fortunate that I have taken a liking to her. The great and handsome me.”
“If that haughty girl really likes you, then why did she have to scold you even in her dreams?”
Derflinger wanted to continue voicing his opinions, but was stopped by Saito. “Louise is in reality extremely stubborn. She would not bare her heart that easily.”
“Is that so?”
“If I went over and asked her, she would definitely reply: 'What are you saying? You stupid familiar!' “
“Like you said, do you really know her inside out, partner?”
“Of course! Although she’s always denying it, in reality she desperately wants me to ‘conquer’ her. She’s already deeply in love with me, but Louise is a very headstrong girl, she won’t tell me that she likes me directly due to her pride.”
“Partner, you must be a genius to have deduced this.”
“So now, I’m to represent planet Earth and 'ravish' this Bishōjo from Halkeginia. You understand don’t you, Derf? So could you do me a favor and keep your mouth shut?”
Derflinger shook his body, signifying agreement.
“If that’s the case, I will remain silent then.”
Saito thanked Derflinger and once again approached Louise.
Louise was still in deep sleep. No matter from what angle you look at the sleeping Louise, she still looks as beautiful as ever. Saito took a deep breath; the room was filled with a nice fragrance.
Saito, trembling slowly, lifted Louise’s blanket.
Moonlight shone onto Louise who was wearing a nightgown. Even though Louise was wearing her nightie, one could still feel her smooth and supple skin through it. Although just slightly, her breasts had developed. Also, Louise did not like to wear undergarments when sleeping. Saito knew this extremely well - he was the one who prepared her undergarments every morning.
Saito was so touched that tears nearly came out of his eyes. From now onwards the petite and cute girl will finally be mine, he thought to himself. He has been waiting for this moment for a week, ever since the ball.
Rubbing his hands together, Saito approached the sleeping Louise and said,“Itadakimasu… ” saying that, he snuggled under Louise’s blanket.
“Ah, Louise, Louise your skin is really so smooth and supple. Haha… Saito you idiot…”
Saito did not know why he called himself an idiot, but nonetheless he was becoming more and more aroused.
He hugged Louise without thinking twice and kissed her cheek. Louise did not look like she would wake up anytime soon; she was quite a sound sleeper.
“Louise, my dear Louise, your face; you have the cutest face in the world...” Following that, just as Saito was about to lift up Louise’s nightgown, she suddenly awoke. Saito was initially shocked, but he recovered quickly and hugged Louise tightly.
“What... What are you doing?!”
Louise immediately realized what was going on and struggled to break free from Saito’s arms.
“Can’t you just stay still?”
“Why... why... are you hugging me?
“What are you saying? I thought that you liked me!?” Saito stared at Louise in frustration; Louise felt the anger and stopped struggling.
“What?”
Saito placed his hands on Louise’s shoulder and asked, “Aren’t you in love with me?”
“What... what... nonsense are you blabbering?”
“It’s all right Louise, I understand how you feel. I’m the one that understands you the most. Don’t be nervous, just relax.”
Saito slowly moved his lips towards Louise’s; Louise’s face became paler and paler.
Me, in love with you??
Louise’s dream just now flashed before her eyes again. Saito was exactly the same as in her dream, speaking to her in that audacious manner. Thanks to that, the more Louise looked at Saito, the angrier she became. Both the Saito in her dream and the Saito in reality made her mad, really mad. You could say it was pure rage.
Louise was now trembling in anger, but Saito mistook it for shyness, as Louise had had no prior experience.
“Are you still nervous, this is my first time too. Relax while I take off my pants...”
Louise felt Saito holding up her waist...
As swift as a flame salamander catches its prey, Louise shot her right leg upward and struck Saito between the legs.
"Arhhh!"
Saito immediately felt his spine carry the excruciating pain from his groin all the way to his brain. Saito, not able to take the pain, began foaming at the mouth and rolled off of Louise’s bed. Louise slowly got up and grabbed the horse whip which was placed next to her bed.
Saito, seeing the whip, tried to escape, but the whip-bearing Louise already had her foot on Saito’s head.
“What did you want to do to me just now?!”
Saito, slowly recovering from his pain, managed to speak, ”Aren’t we just like lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other just now?”
Louise using her foot to apply more pressure on Saito’s head replied, “That’s only wishful thinking on your part.”
“Does it mean that I’m mistaken…? Aren’t you fond of me?”
“Who is fond of whom?”
“Well, don’t you like me, Miss Louise?”
“Haha… Please tell me the reason for you believing that, but you’d better make it simple to understand, otherwise I will not be able to tell what will happen to you…”
“Well, during the ball, you looked at me, your familiar with those lovelorn eyes.”
Louise with her face turning red replied, “So that’s why you thought that I’m fond of you and climbed into my bed?”
“That’s correct, Miss Louise. Is your humble familiar really mistaken?”
“You’re definitely mistaken, I have never heard of a familiar climbing into its owner’s bed.”
“I will take note of it the next time.”
Louise gave a sigh and said in a tone that seems to pity Saito, “There won’t be a next time.”
“Master, Look! Look! The twin moons are shining so beautifully tonight!” Saito said in desperation.
“Anyway, it’s too late…” Louise said in a voice trembling in anger. Under the twin moon’s moonlight, Saito’s cries of pain could be heard many miles away…
VOLUME 2 ~ CHAPTER 8
Saito was walking through a pitch-dark passage with a candlestick. The moon was shining through an open window on the way of the passage.
There was a girl who walked alone in the moonlight. She had long blond-pink hair... Tears that looked like pearls were falling down her white cheek. Saito looked quietly admiring her for a while, such a beautiful but sad face.
Louise turned around and noticed Saito, who was standing there with a candle. Her eyes were wet even though she had wiped them.
Her face became sad once again. When Saito walked up to her, she leaned into his body, as if losing all her strength.
"You are crying, why..."
Louise didn't answer, but pressed her face into Saito's chest.
He embraced her firmly.
Saito, at first, was puzzled by Louise clinging to him. He wasn't used to these kinds of things. However, she sobbed like a girl, and it felt like Louise clung to him very dearly. She was hurt and he felt sorry for her. However, what does this mean?
Louise probably clung to me because I was here by chance- like a girl clinging to a stuffed animal. It is not me but Wardes that is really important to her.
Still, Saito said nothing and patted Louise's head in an awkward way with his hand. Her head seemed so small that it fit in his palm.
When Saito walked up to her, she leaned into his body, as if losing all her strength.
Louise spoke while crying.
"No... Those people... Why, why did they chose to die? Even though there is the princess... Even if Wales loves her... Why does Crown Prince Wales choose death?"
"He said that it was to defend someone important."
"What is more important in this world than the person you love?"
"I don't understand the prince's way of thinking either."
"I will persuade him! I will persuade him again!"
"Don't."
"Why?"
"Because you are here to deliver princess-sama's letter. This is your only mission."
Louise muttered while tears kept on streaming down her cheeks. "...I want to return soon. I want to return back to Tristain. I dislike this country. These foolish people and unreasonable prince that leaves everything."
Though Louise sometimes acted tough, she was still a girl. Louise could not understand Wales' world. But Saito understood her as he thought the same way as well.
Louise, as if suddenly remembering, took something out of her pocket.
"Put out your left arm." Louise said.
"What?"
"Just do it."
Saito presented his left arm as he was told. It was a can that Louise took out. She scooped inside with her finger and took some sticky medicine that had a funny smell to it.
"I got it from someone in the castle a little while ago. This magical water medicine is very effective against burns. I could get only this medicine but it should be alright."
Louise muttered while she was lubricating Saito's arm with it.
I never thought she could be so gentle. But I should not become dependent on this gentleness too much, as it will be gone soon.
Saito shook his head and pushed Louise away from him. Louise looked up at his face surprised.
Saito had an painful expression on his face.
After seeing such an expression on his face, Louise bit her lip.
"...Why such a face? Did something happen?"
"It's nothing."
"I understand. As soon as we return, I will search for a way to send you back to your world."
Louise said while hesitating. Apparently, she misunderstood. However, Saito thought it was good to let it be this way.
"...It's alright even if you don't help."
"What?"
"I mean, you will marry soon, so you shouldn't bother about searching for a way to send me back."
"What? Don't tell me you are worrying about that? You're still thinking about words I said in the La Rochelle hotel? Indeed, I said 'marry' at that time... But, but I wasn't serious about it."
Louise turned her face away from Saito.
"It is not possible to marry yet. I am still not a splendid mage... And I haven't found a way to send you back either..."
Saito thought.
Indeed, Louise might not marry because she feels responsible for me. And because of that she won't be able to marry until I find my way home. Saito thought it would be bad for Louise. I do not think this is fair for this dazzling, beautiful, nice and gentle Louise.
"It's alright. I will look for the way to return alone, so you should marry."
"What a selfish thing to say, you are my familiar! Defend me until we can find a way to send you back!"
Louise said and intensely stared at Saito.
"I cannot defend you."
Saito's shoulders dropped down lonely when he said it.
"Remember what happened."
The spectacle of the travel revived in Saito's head. When they started shooting the arrows, he was saved by Wardes. He was defeated in the duel with Wardes. When they were attacked by the man in the white mask, he could not save Louise.
It is always Wardes saving you. I was not able to do a thing but stand and watch.
"I am not a strong mage like the Viscount. I am just a normal person, even if they say I am the legendary familiar 'Gandálfr'. I don't know how to fight. All I can do is just swing a sword around recklessly. I can't protect you."
Louise's palm struck Saito's cheek.
"Coward!"
Saito spoke without changing his expression.
"Let's separate from here on Louise. You return with the viscount by griffon while I return with the Eagle. When I get back, I'll look for the way to return to my world. As things are, I am indebted to you already."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Idiot!"
Louise shouted. Tears started running from her eyes again. Still, Saito didn't answer. He just watched Louise tremble.
"I hate you! I hate you!"
Saito muttered while veiling his eyes. "I know."
Louise turned on her heels and ran down the dark passage. Saito patted his cheek. The place where it was hit still ached and made him feel very sad.
"Good-bye, Louise."
Saito said in a small voice. Though he thought that he would not cry, tears were streaming down and did not stop.
"Good-bye, my gentle and lovely master."
Meanwhile… 15 feet from the place where Saito was fighting, Louise woke up. When Louise saw Saito fighting hard, her face was momentarily blank with surprise, but then she grasped her wand.
“Run away while you can! Idiot!”
Saito shouted, but Louise didn’t stop. The spell was uttered and the wand was aimed. She chanted the ‘Fire Ball’ spell. The spell aimed at Wardes exploded hitting the floor beneath him.
Boom! With that loud sound Wardes disappeared while Louise watched amazed.
“Eh? Disappeared? Because of my magic?”
The remaining Wardes tried to jump on Louise.
“Run away!” Saito shouted, but Louise stubbornly started to chant the same spell again. However, she was blown away by Wardes' cane this time.
Saito stared with astonishment.
He started shaking with anger. When Louise’s body hit the wall right before his eyes, a beast-like roar escaped his mouth.
“How dare you to do that to Louise…!”
Once Louise's body was blown off again, the remaining Wardes clones concentrated on Saito trying to press him further. However, Saito's movement gradually increased speed.
All of the Wardeses' breathing became irregular and rough. Still, even then, their expression didn't change.
While blocking the sword, Wardes asked.
“Why did you come back to die? To risk your life for Louise who despises you? Can’t understand how a commoner’s mind works!”
Saito shouted while swinging the sword. “Then why did you bastard try to kill Louise!? You were her fiancée!”
“Hahaha, you are still in love with Louise? A servant's hopeless love for his master! That’s really funny! That arrogant Louise will never turn to you! Mere compassion mistaken for love! Fool!”
“So what if I fell in love!”
Saito shouted while biting down his lips.
“However…”
“However, what?”
“It is beating!”
“What?”
A puzzled expression floated on Wardes' face.
“Aah! When seeing that face, my heart is beating faster! This reason is good enough for me! Therefore I will defend Louise!”
Saito screamed.
Runes started shining.
Matching the light, Derflinger also shone brighter. “Good! That’s good partner! Right! That’s the key! I remembered! I know the source of Gandálfr’s power! Good partner!”
Finally Saito’s sword cut down another Wardes.
“Wha?”
Wardes grimaced in an unbearable pain.
“Gandálfr's source of power is feelings! Anger! Sadness! Love! Pleasure! Anything is good! And now you seem to be really shaken, my Gandálfr!”
Saito rounded up the sword. Because of its terrible speed, Wardes was not able to react to the sword in time and disappeared.
“D-damn you…”
Only three remained now.
"Do not forget! You are fighting me! You can’t surpass my skills!"
Saito leaped high up into the air, holding his sword. Wardes also flew.
“The air is my element… Do not forget! Gandálfr!”
Each of the Wardes’ canes were aimed at Saito, but he brandished Derflinger like a pinwheel.
Derflinger shouted.
“That’s the way to fight, Gandálfr! Swing me in the rhythm of your heart!”
The next moment, all three Wardes were torn up in the blink of an eye.
Saito landed.
With ‘'Uneven Distribution’ defeated, the remaining real Wardes' body fell down on the floor. <-The spell name changed...which to use? This one makes more sense. ~Dan->
His cut off left arm, landed there after a few seconds.
Saito also landed on the ground, but he stumbled and had to support himself with his knee. His tiredness had reached a critical limit.
Wardes stood up staggering and stared at Saito.
“Damn… This ‘Flash’ really defeated me…”
Saito tried to stand up and run up to him, but his body stopped obeying him.
“Ku…”
“Aah, partner. Don’t act foolishly now – Gandálfr cannot move after wasting his energy. That’s because this familiar was created to defend his master while the master chants the spell.”
Derflinger explained.
Wardes gripped his cane with his remaining right hand and floated upwards.
“Oh dear, it seems that I managed to accomplish only one of the goals. Anyways, now you are mine ‘Gandálfr’ – a large army will soon burst in. Hey! Can you hear the sound of horses' hooves and dragons' wings!?”
Indeed, one could hear the noise of cannons and sounds of fire magic explosions outside, as well as the roaring voices of nobles and soldiers mixed up in a battle.
“You and your foolish master will be turned to ashes! Gandálfr!”
Throwing these last parting words, Wardes disappeared through the hole in the wall.
Saito, who used Derflinger as a crutch for support, stumblingly walked up to Louise.
“Louise!”
Saito shook Louise trying to wake her up to no avail. Saito put his ear to Louise’s chest in panic.
Thump, thump, thump…
Hearing the faint heartbeat, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Louise was worn-out. Her mantle was torn, and her knees and cheek bruised.
And there must be more bruises under the clothes, too.
Louise’s hand was grasping her chest. Her breast pocket button came off, and one could see Henreitta’s letter peeping out from the inside. It seemed that, even unconscious, Louise was still protecting the letter.
Really, I am so glad you are alive. I came just in time. Saito thought.
The tunnel Verdandi dug ran right under the Albion’s continent. So the moment Saito got out of the hole, there was nothing but clouds beneath, yet Sylphid successfully caught all four falling people and a mole.
The mole that the wind dragon caught with its mouth, let out a protesting cry.
“Please try to endure it, my cute Verdandi. Bear with it until we get off in Tristain again.”
With powerful wing strokes, the wind dragon broke through the surrounding clouds and changed direction to the Magical Academy.
Saito, with Louise in his arms, looked up at the continent of Albion.
Clouded and empty, blue inside, the Albion continent disappeared. Though it was a short stay there, Saito had various things to remember, as the white country faded from view.
Saito watched Louise lying in his arms. Her white cheeks were dirty with blood and soil, yet even in this state, one could see her aristocratic features. There were two stripes from her eyes down her cheeks left by her tears.
Saito wiped Louise’s face with his sleeve. He could not bear to see the face of his pretty master dirty.
Louise was still unconscious from the shock. Looking at Louise’s face was somehow painful to Saito. “Dear Louise. Louise. My Louise…”
Beat beat, his heart was beating loudly.
Now Saito looked only at Louise’s face pressed gently to his chest.
Meanwhile, Louise was absent-mindedly wandering in dream.
The dream in la Vallière’s place, in her hometown.
A pond in a forgotten courtyard…
There a small boat was floating… Here Louise was lying down when facing difficulties. Louise always hid herself and slept there. Her world that no one else intruded in. Her secret place…
Louise’s heart was in pain.
But Wardes didn’t come here anymore. Gentle viscount Wardes, her childhood noble crush, her fiancé of marriage arranged by their fathers' mutual agreement…
Young Louise sobbed softly, there was no Wardes who would take her from her secret place anymore. He was a dirty betrayer that murdered the courageous prince, those kind hands belonged to a murderer…
Louise cried in her shallop.
But then, someone came.
“Is that you, Viscount?”
Louise asked in her dream. But she shook her head at once. No, the viscount didn’t come here anymore. Then, who?
It was Saito. The sword was hanging on his back, when he without hesitation about getting wet stepped into the pond and approached Louise’s shallop.
Louise's heart throbbed.
Saito picked up Louise out of the shallop and held her in his arms.
“Have you been crying?”
Saito asked. Louise nodded childishly in her dream.
“Stop crying. Louise. My Louise.”
Louise tried to get angry. This familiar, how dare he call me ‘My Louise’. But when she opened her mouth to scold him, her lips were closed again with a kiss. Though she wriggled in rage at first, the strength soon left her body.
Louise woke up on a wind dragon's back, in Saito’s arms.
She became aware that she was held in Saito’s arms. They were sitting near the wind-dragon’s tail, and Saito sat there embracing her. She stared at his face from the side as it seemed like he didn’t notice that she was awake.
Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche – all three of them, were sitting on the front of the wind dragon’s back.
The wind was blowing against her cheeks.
“Aah, this isn’t a dream."
Then…
"I survived.”
Louise’s mind was filled with feverish thoughts.
I was almost killed by that traitor Wardes, but then Saito jumped in. Then I fainted. Then I woke up again and chanted some magic. After that, though, I lost consciousness… maybe Saito won again.
But only we survived, maybe the royal army was still defeated.
Wales died as well.
The happiness of surviving mixed with sadness almost made Louise cry. However, not wanting to cry in front of Saito, she closed her eyes.
She was also ashamed to say thank you. Though she could not understand why, she was comfortable with Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche – with all of them. But thanking Saito before everyone felt really embarrassing. Therefore, Louise decided to pretend she was sleeping.
Nevertheless, Louise still secretly watched him from the corner of her half-closed eyes.
Saito looked into her eyes. He looked directly at her.
Those eyes made Louise recall her last dream.
The air dragon increased speed.
Strong wind hit her cheeks.
But that wind felt pleasant.
That wind and Saito’s burning gaze, aah, Louise couldn’t hide her feelings.
Her mind was in turmoil…
Traitor Wardes.
Crown prince’s death…
Noble union’s ‘Reconquista’ victory…
Report to the Princess…
For various reasons, and while Louise felt sorry for them all, right now all Louise’s thoughts were blown away by the wind.
After nearly escaping death, she wanted to savour the feeling of life for a while.
Like that, savouring the feeling of life without limits, while pretending to sleep…
Saito’s face moved closer.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Saito's lips overlapped Louise’s.
Louise instinctively lifted her hand to push him away…but returned it back to her chest instead.
Strong wind hit Louise's cheeks, as Sylphid flew through the sky.
Something warm filled her heart, a heart that was wounded by sad events was healed.
Some time ago she was struggling violently against the feeling in her dream.
But at least for now…
The pleasant wind blew from a different world…
Resting her cheek against his chest, she silently fell asleep.
VOLUME 3 ~ CHAPTER 2
VOLUME 3 ~ CHAPTER 2
The morning after her return from Albion, Louise’s attitude began to change. To put it bluntly, she became nicer. As usual, after waking up, Saito prepared the wash basin for Louise. He poured water into the basin and then washed Louise's face. It was troublesome, but if Saito forgot about the wash basin, severe consequences would follow.
Once, when Saito forgot to prepare the wash basin, he wasn’t allowed to eat. The next morning, he was quite angry, so he caught a frog from the pond behind the Academy of Magic and put it in the wash basin. Louise, who hated frogs, squealed at the sight of the slimy amphibian. She burst into tears when it suddenly appeared in front of her. Saito apologized profusely, but Louise did not forgive him for making her cry.
That time, unsatisfied with merely starving Saito, Louise tried whipping him, and as a result, Saito escaped the room and slept outside.
They would get into fights just like the one with the wash basin, but after going to Albion something changed. Warm feelings towards Saito started to sprout within Louise and vice versa. However, they did not realize each other’s feelings.
In the morning, Saito prepared the wash basin, feeling slightly awkward. Louise sat on her bed with a drowsy look.
With the wash basin placed on the floor, Saito scooped up water with both hands, but Louise didn’t move. Her pinkish blond hair dangled on her face. Seemingly tired, she rubbed her eyes. With an absent minded expression, she said, “Leave it there, I’ll do it myself.”
Saito was shocked. He didn’t think the words “I’ll do it myself” could come from Louise’s mouth.
“Louise?”
Saito waved his hand in front of her face. Louise pouted, facing away. She was blushing. As if she was angry, Louise said, “I’ll do it myself. Leave me alone.”
Louise dipped her hand in the wash basin, scooped up water, shook her head, and washed her face. Water splattered everywhere.
“So, you’re the type that likes to move their face while they wash it, huh?”
Louise was slightly taken aback by Saito's comment. Her face blushed and she became angry. “G-Got a problem with that?”
“No, not at all…”
Saito then took Louise’s clothes from her closet and laid them face down on her bed, while Louise put on her panties. Saito, holding Louise's uniform, turned around when he thought she was done. The next step was dressing Louise.
When Saito turned around, Louise, wearing only her panties, started to panic and quickly covered her body with sheets.
“Leave the clothes there,” said Louise, with half her face covered by the sheets. ‘’What happened?’’ thought Saito. ‘’She would normally say something like ‘Quickly dress me...’ with a sleepy face. What's more, she's hiding behind the sheets. Normally, she wouldn’t care about being seen. Why is she so embarrassed?’’
“Leave it there? Um... are you sure?”
Louise popped her head up above the sheets. “I said leave it there, didn’t I?!”
Louise then buried half of her face in the sheets again and glared at Saito.
Well this is strange, thought Saito as he placed the clothes beside Louise as he was told.
“Face that way.”
“Eh?”
“I said face that way.”
It seemed as if she was the type of person who didn’t want to be seen while changing. That's a very normal reaction for adolescent girls; however, Louise had been fine being seen in the past.
Saito turned his back to Louise thinking, What the hell happened?
Well, many things happened in Albion. Her fiancé had betrayed her and Henrietta. Her childhood friend. She had lost her lover. It was a horrible experience for Louise. Perhaps those events had changed her.
Had Louise really changed?
With an expressionless face, Saito remembered the feeling of Louise’s lips. He had kissed a half-asleep Louise softly on the lips while on the dragon. He knew that kissing someone in their sleep is cowardly and something that he ought not to have done, but he couldn’t control himself. He cared a great deal about her.
Could it be…, Saito thought. That Louise knows about that kiss? She didn’t change because she felt I was dangerous and thought I was going to make a move on her, right?
Saito stopped his thoughts abruptly and shook his head. If Louise had been awake at that time, she wouldn’t have kept quiet. She'd wake up. Get angry. Abuse. Any sense of harmony would have exploded into bits. Events like the time when I crept into her bed were horrible, weren’t they? A dog. That’s me, a dog. A dog that is led by a chain and goes ‘woof’.
Ah. I see now. Saito finally realized. She feels uneasy because I crept into her bed two nights before we left for Albion while she was sleeping. This isn’t about the kiss at all. Ah, that’s why she doesn’t want my help changing anymore.
Saito felt somewhat disheartened. In fact, he was deeply regretful. If only he hadn’t done such a thing. ‘’She doesn’t want me making a move on her. Well that’s only natural, but it means she doesn’t like me. That’s also natural I guess…’’
‘’It is only natural… yet saddening.’’
‘’A ray of hope? Nope. None. Louise doesn’t like me. I’m only a familiar. That being said, I’ve only been a dangerous familiar so far. A bad familiar that transforms into a wolf at night. A barrier has already been erect between us.’’
Dark clouds started forming. The hope inside Saito’s heart whispered desperately, “But on the way back home on the dragon, she cuddled with me, right?” The despair within Saito’s heart replied coldly, "That was just my imagination. She sent me flying when Kirche pointed it out, didn’t she?"
‘’… Ah, that’s right. There’s no mistake about it. Louise doesn’t think anything of me.’’
Realizing his own feelings for Louise, misery overwhelmed Saito. Saito had a personality where once excited, he would become extremely excited, but when depressed, he would become excessively depressed.
“What are you whispering about?”
Saito had not realized he was whispering. When he turned around, Louise, who had already finished changing, looked into his face dubiously.
After a mere twenty seconds of thought, he had reached his conclusion. Feeling dispirited, Saito replied in a sickly voice, “Sorry. I won’t talk to myself again.”
“Yes, it’s somewhat revolting.”
Louise, looking dubiously at Saito, walked out. “Come on, let’s go for breakfast.”
“Yeah,” Saito followed after her, depressed.
Even in the Alviss Dining Hall, something surprising occurred.
Saito sat down on the floor as always, but his plate of soup was not there. Saito grew impatient. Did I do anything to make Louise angry enough to not feed me? No, I don’t think so.
Last night, after the five of them returned to the academy, they reported to Osman. Osman, who had already heard from Henrietta, thanked and praised them for their efforts.
Then they had returned to their rooms … and quickly fallen asleep. Saito hadn't done anything to anger Louise. With a miserable look on his face, Saito looked up at Louise, who was sitting on a chair.
Louise started blushing and while turning away she said, “From now on, eat at the table.”
“Eh?” Saito looked blankly at Louise. That was very unexpected of Louise.
“Come on, sit down quickly.”
Dumbfounded, he sat next to Louise. Malicorne, who always sat there and had caught a cold, started to protest, “Hey Louise, that’s my seat. What do you mean you’ll let your familiar sit on it?”
Louise glared at Malicorne. “If you don’t have seat, then just go get a chair.”
“Don’t play around with me! Letting a commoner familiar sit down while I have to go get a chair? That’s just wrong! Hey familiar, piss off, that’s my seat. This is a dining table for nobles!”
The chubby Malicorne tried to look intimidating, but he was trembling slightly. This was the legendary familiar who supposedly defeated Guiche and caught Fouquet. What's more, it seemed they had accomplished some incredible feat while they were away from the academy the past couple of days. Malicorne was covered in cold sweat when he told Saito off.
Saito, feeling extremely down due to the growing wall between Louise and him, reacted to the pestering voice. He stood up and grabbed Malicorne’s collar.
He didn’t use much force, but whispered in a threatening voice, “Hey fatty, what'd you say?”
Terrified, Malicorne dropped his act and shook his head repeatedly, “A-Ah, nothing, I didn’t mean it!”
“I didn’t mean it, sir.”
“Y-yes, I didn’t mean it, sir!”
“Then go get a chair. Let’s eat happily together.”
Malicorne rushed off to get a chair. With an unconcerned look, Louise was waiting for the prayer time before the meal. I wonder what happened. What change of heart is this? Why is she being so nice? Surely there’s a reason. Nope, he thought, The trip to Albion changed Louise.
It must be … after seeing people injured and killed, these warm feelings must have started to blossom within her. This reminded Saito of the story about General Tokugawa Tsunayoshi of the Edo period and his command to be compassionate towards animals. The dog shogun took pity on a stray dog, and punished those who bullied it.
So that’s it.
The command to be compassionate towards animals has been set upon Tristain.
The law setter: Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière.
The object: familiars, as well as dogs- myself in other words.
Saito stopped his imagination and looked at Louise warmly.
You’ve become nicer haven’t you Louise, more like a girl. You’re dazzling like this. Being so nice to someone like me… You’re growing up like a girl.
I’ll watch over you carefully - I won’t make a move on you ever again. Until I return to Earth, I will protect you. Even if you don’t like me, I’m happy that you’re being so nice to me.
Her radiance mixing in with his sadness and despair, Saito smiled warmly. Louise noticed Saito watching her intently and blushed, “W-Why are you looking at me like that?”
Noticing the vile way he was looking at her, Saito averted his eyes and tightened his hands into fists on his knees. Listen carefully, Saito. Nobles aren’t for dogs like you. Compared to Louise, who’s so beautiful and pure, you are just a homely mole. There’s no way a mole can look at such a cute girl in a decent way.
The thoughts repeated in his mind. Saito’s poignancy quickly consumed him, like a bottomless swamp. Saito obediently whispered, “Sorry for being so repulsive.”
Louise quickly turned the other way.
Ugh, she must think I’m weird. The master thinks this mole is weird.
Saito stared at the food on the plate with a dull face. It was a luxurious meal, but the colors of it seemed to fade before his eyes.
The usual prayer proceeded and breakfast began. Saito quietly ate his food. It was delicious, but he was so miserable he could not taste it.
It was night by the time the classroom was cleaned up. Tidying up the chairs and desks and wiping the floor was a big task. Exhausted, Louise and Saito returned to their room. Saito collapsed on his haystack. Louise sat down on her bed. It was almost time for bed. Out of habit, Saito went to the closet to get Louise’s clothes. Louise, however, suddenly stood up.
“W-What are you doing?”
Louise blushed and did not reply. Her hands gripped the sheets and she started hanging them from her bedposts. The sheets acted as a curtain and hid her bed. Watching Saito out of the corner of her eyes, she went to the closet, found her clothes, and returned to bed. Saito could hear the ruffling of clothes as she changed behind the curtain. Depressed, Saito returned to his haystack.
She doesn’t want to be seen by someone like me. Even if I see you, I won’t do anything strange. I won’t even look anymore. I’m not the hungry wolf you think I am … I’m a mole. Well, you were kissed by a mole, but that was when I got carried away, I made a mistake. I won’t ever do it again, Louise. I’ll watch over you properly. This homely mole will watch over you from this haystack.
Saito endlessly tortured himself with these thoughts. The curtain was taken down. Wearing a negligee, Louise was bathed in moonlight, her hair flowing smoothly. The brilliant moonlight accentuated her divine beauty. After combing her hair with her hands, she lay down and switched off the lamp on her bedside table with a flick of her wand. It was a magic lamp that would switch off at the signal of its master. It wasn’t exactly special, but it seemed like something expensive. With the moonlight bathing the room, the atmosphere felt ethereal.
Just as Saito was about to fall asleep, Louise sat up and called out, “Hey, Saito.”
“Yes?”
“Always sleeping on the floor is a bit extreme …you can, er, sleep on the bed if you want.”
Saito’s body stiffened, “W-What?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea! I’ll hit you if you do anything strange.”
Saito was overwhelmed. ‘’Ah, Louise you really are kind, aren’t you. It’s like you’ve changed completely. That harsh experience really did change you…You’re even becoming kind to a disgusting mole like me.’’ With every inch closer to the bed, his pulse seemed to double. Louise faced the window, wrapped up in the blanket on the edge of the bed.
“Is it… ok? Even for me? A mole?”
“Yes, it’s ok, don’t make me say the same thing. What do you mean a mole?”
Saito slipped into the bed and covered himself with the blanket.
“Sorry.”
He had to apologize for getting carried away and kissing her. He felt he had to. Saito whispered, “Sorry … for kissing you like that.”
Louise didn’t reply.
Saito thought she was sleeping, but it didn’t sound like it. Saito continued, “I've … decided before then that I would protect you as I had promised Prince Wales.”
“Not only from enemies, but also from my own desires as well. I can’t say I’ve done a good job of protecting you so far, so, I’m sorry.” said Saito, who was now clearly voicing his thoughts.
Louise replied in a small voice, ”It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”
Saito grasped the blanket and whispered, “I won’t do it again.”
“Of course.” replied Louise.
She started to talk, as if determined to tell Saito something.
“...but, I too have to apologize. Sorry, for just summoning you.”
“That’s ok. It’s not good, but it’s alright.”
“I’ll find a way for you to return home. I don’t know how, but I will. I've never heard of another world before.”
“Thanks,” Saito felt relieved.
Squirming a bit, Louise asked Saito, “Your world … there aren’t any mages there right?”
“Nope.”
“There’s only one moon?”
“Only one.”
“That’s weird.”
“No it’s not, it’s this world that’s weird, mages and stuff.”
“What were you doing in that world?”
“I was a high school student.”
“High school student?”
“Well it’s not much different from being a student here, I guess. Studying is kind of your job.”
“What do people do when they grow up?”
Louise started to bombard Saito with questions. While wondering why, Saito replied, “Hmm, a company employee perhaps, that’s the most common.”
“What’s a company employee?”
He became slightly irritated, but replied, “You work and you earn money.”
“I don’t really understand … but is that what you want to become?”
Saito remained silent. He hadn’t thought of what he wanted to do in the future. He spent his days doing what he liked. His future was neither bright nor dark. Thinking this state of affairs would last forever, he just absentmindedly attended school. Saito was a bit troubled by his reply, “I dunno. I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Wardes said you were a legendary familiar. Those runes on the back of your hand are apparently the mark of Gandálfr.”
“I don’t really understand, but it seems that Gandálfr is meant to use the sword Derflinger.”
“I wonder if that’s true…”
“Well it has to be, I couldn’t use a sword like Derflinger normally.”
“Then, why can’t I use magic? You’re a legendary familiar, yet I’m Louise the Zero. Ugh.”
“I don’t know.”
Louise remained silent for a while. Then she spoke in a serious tone, “You know, I want to become a great mage. I don’t mean a very powerful mage. I just want to be able to cast spells properly. I don’t want to fail every spell I cast and not even know which branch of magic I’m good at.”
Saito remembered the class they had earlier. As usual, Louise had failed.
“Ever since I was small, I was told I was hopeless. My father and mother didn’t expect anything of me. I was always treated like an idiot, always called Zero … I really don’t have any skill. There isn’t a branch of magic that I’m good at. I’m even clumsy at reciting incantations. I get it. My teachers, mother and sisters have said it. When you recite an incantation for a spell in your branch of magic, something within your body responds and it circulates within your body. When that rhythm is at a climax, it means that the spell is completed. I have never felt that before.”
Louise’s voice became smaller, “But, I want to at least be able to do things like everyone else. Otherwise, I get the feeling I won’t be content with myself.”
Louise became silent once more. Saito did not know what to say to comfort her. Some time passed before Saito began to speak.
“Even if you can’t use magic … you’re normal. Not just normal … you’re cute. And you’ve been so kind recently as well. You have your own qualities. Even if you can’t use magic, you’re a great person…”
Ending his incoherent reply, Saito turned towards Louise. She had already fallen asleep. Her innocent face took his breath away. It seemed she had drifted off while Saito was thinking of his reply. Her pinkish blond hair mixed with the moonlight, shining brightly. Steady breathing could be heard from her small pink lips.
Looking at those lips, he wanted to press his lips against hers once more and, without even realizing it, he started to move his face forward. But, he stopped. It's cowardly to kiss a girl who isn't even his lover while she is sleeping. I’m not your lover… but I will protect you. So don’t worry Louise.
Smiling warmly at Louise, Saito closed his eyes. With Louise’s breathing as a lullaby, Saito fell asleep.
Louise opened her eyes once Saito had fallen asleep. She knit her eyebrows and whispered, “I was even pretending to sleep”. Louise hugged her pillow, and bit her lips. It’s so different, she thought. When he was making a move on her, he did it rashly like an idiot and yet when he’s obedient, he’s totally obedient.
I don’t understand. I don’t understand what he’s thinking at all. Louise rested her hands on her chest. When Saito was next to her, her chest really did throb. So these feelings really are true?
She wanted to return the favour to Saito, who had been so kind and had saved her so many times… But that wasn’t the only thing. It was the first time she had felt these feelings for someone of the opposite sex and she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t allow Saito to help her change because of this. Once she recognized these feelings, she became embarrassed at the mere thought of him looking at her skin. She didn't want him to see her face after she had just woken up.
When did I start having these feelings for Saito? Probably since that time, Louise thought. Just when she was about to be killed by Fouquet’s golem, she was hugged by Saito. Her heart throbbed. Despite the fact that she was about to die, her heart beat loudly. There was also the time when Wardes was about to kill her. Saito jumped in and saved her. But the time her heart beat the fastest was when they were riding on the dragon and he had kissed her. After that, she couldn’t look at Saito’s face.
I wonder what Saito thinks of me? An unpleasant girl? A selfish and mean master? Or perhaps he likes me? Well, he kissed me, so he must like me. Or could it be that he’s the same as Guiche and just likes women? I wonder which one. I want to know. Anyhow, why didn’t he do anything when I was just sleeping beside him, Louise thought.
‘’Of course, if he did anything now I’d kick him in the crotch.’’
‘’But…but…’’ Louise tapped Saito’s pillow. He didn’t wake up. She looked around restlessly. Other than the moon, nothing was looking at her. She moved towards Saito’s face. Her pulse started to quicken. She pressed her lips upon his softly, only for about two seconds. It was the kind of kiss that the person wasn’t aware had even taken place.
Saito turned over.
Louise panicked slightly and drew away from his face, sinking into the blanket, hugging her pillow.
What am I doing? To my familiar as well. I’m such an idiot.
She looked at Saito’s face. He was kind of cool: coming from another world, being obedient at times, yet carried away at other times for absolutely no reason. The legendary familiar … I wonder if I really do like him? Is this what they call love?
While she repeated her thoughts, she traced her lips with her fingers. The heat was like iron against her lips. How can I find the answer to this question?
"I don’t want to be left not knowing the answer…" whispered Louise as she closed her eyes.
Louise lay in her bed, tightly grasping her pillow. After Saito removed his parka, Louise slipped into it, as though it was a given. She was frantically pretending to read a book. Saito looked around the room which he had been away from for a week or so. Tableware was scattered everywhere.
“So you’ve been absent from lessons?”
Montmorency had mentioned it when they passed by her in the corridor. Montmorency told Louise that she had been absent for too long, but Louise just ignored her and walked off.
Louise glared at Saito, slightly taken aback.
“So what?”
“Are you feeling ok?” asked Saito, who seemed to be worried.
She was about to say "Whose fault do you think it was that I have been skipping lessons?" but her pride got the better of her. Putting the blanket over her head, she snuggled under it. Saito scratched his head and looked at the haystack. So she didn’t throw it out, he thought, warmly glancing at Louise.
Three days passed.
Colbert awoke to the sound of hens. It seemed like he had fallen asleep without realizing. He had been absent from lessons and had shut himself in the laboratory for the past three days. In front of his eyes was a flask placed on top on an alcohol lamp. A glass tube stretched out of this, which let the heated catalyst cool and coagulate in the beaker to the left. This was the final step. Colbert sniffed at the gasoline he received from Saito and started cautiously reciting the alchemy incantation at the substance in the beaker while concentrating on the smell of the gasoline.
A poof of smoke rose from the beaker and the color of substance inside changed to a yellowish brown. He smelt it. The strong smell of gasoline drifted to his nose. Colbert opened the door with a thud and rushed outside.
“Saito! Saito! I’ve made it! I’ve made it! I’ve finished concocting it!”
Out of breath, Colbert approached Saito, who was inspecting the Zero fighter. Within the wine bottle he held out, there was a yellowish brown liquid. Saito opened the cover of the fuel tank, which was in front of the windshield. There was a lock on it, so he had Colbert cast the unlock spell on it. He poured two bottles of the gasoline in to it.
“I analyzed the composition of the oil you gave me,” said Colbert proudly.
“It seemed to be made from microorganisms in fossils, so I searched for something similar. I decided to use the fossils of trees… in other words coal. I soaked that in a special catalyst and extracted a similar composition. After spending days doing that, I cast the alchemy spell on it. And that turned it into…”
“Gasoline, right?”
Colbert nodded and urged Saito “Quickly, turn those windmills for me. I was so excited that I didn’t even sleep.”
After filling the gas tank, Saito returned to the cockpit. Information on how to start the engine and fly the Zero fighter came rushing to his brain. To start the engine, the propeller must first be spun. Saito popped his head from the windshield.
“Mr. Colbert, could you spin the propeller using magic?”
“I thought it turned using the power from burning the oil?”
“To start the engine, the crank inside must be rotated manually first. I don't have a tool to turn the propeller, so if you could use magic please.”
Colbert nodded. Saito began to prepare the plane.
Firstly, he set the fuel source to the tank he had just put the fuel in. Then he set the mixture ratio lever and the propeller pitch lever to their optimum states. Saito’s hands moved by themselves. His Gandálfr power carried out all the operations. He opened the cowl flap and closed the lid of the oil-cooling radiator. The propellers rumbled as Colbert used his magic. With his eyes wide open, Saito pressed the ignition with his right hand at the proper time. His left hand gripping the throttle lever, he tilted it forward slightly.
A sputtering sound was heard and the engine started to run after the spark plug’s ignition. As they ratted, the propellers started to turn. The body of the airplane vibrated. The brake wasn’t on and so the plane started to propel itself forward.
Colbert watched with a moved expression on his face. After checking that the engine gauges were moving, Saito turned the ignition switch off.
Jumping out of the cockpit, he hugged Colbert.
“Mr Colbert, the engine started!”
“Yes, we did it! But why didn’t it fly?”
“There’s not enough gasoline. In order to fly, we would need at least five barrels.”
“That's a lot to make! But since I’ve already done so much, I’ll finish it!”
After Colbert had returned to his laboratory, Saito continued his adjustments. He didn’t have any tools however, so he cleaned the parts. Louise called out to Saito who was seemingly absorbed doing this.
“Hey, it’s time for dinner. What have you been doing? It’s already dark.”
“I started the engine!” yelled Saito happily.
But Louise replied back dully.
“Really now. Good for you. What happens after you get the engine running?”
“It flies! It will fly!”
“What will you do when it flies?” Asked Louise in a lonely voice.
Saito told Louise of the ideas that had gone through his mind in the past two to three days.
“I’m going to try to fly east.”
“East? I can’t believe you. Are you saying you’re heading to Rub' al Khali? I seriously can’t believe you!”
“Why? The owner of this airplane flew from there. I could maybe find some clues on how to return to my own world.” Said Saito feverishly.
Louise didn’t seem to bear any interest however. She replied back in a lonely voice.
“You’re my familiar. You can’t just do what you want. Also, the princess’s wedding is in five days. I have to read an edict then. But I haven’t thought of anything good to say.”
Absorbed by the Zero fighter, Saito nodded as if he were listening. Once he knew that it could fly, he had become mesmerized by it.
Louise pulled his ear. She was bored. He hasn’t paid any attention to me since he’s returned and instead just gazes at this ‘airplane’.
“Listen to me!”
“I’m listening!”
“You’re not. You’re daydreaming. There’s no familiar that listens to its master while looking away!”
Louise dragged Saito back to her room.
Louise opened the Founder’s Prayer book in front of Saito.
“I’ll read out what I’ve thought already for the edict.”
With a cute cough, Louise began to read her edict.
“On this beautiful day, I, Louise Françoise Le Blanc de la Vallière, praying for the holy presence of the Founder, shall read the blessed edict…”
And then, Louise stopped.
“Continue?”
“From here on I have to give thanks to the four branches of magic. It has to be poetic and also in rhyme….”
“Then just make it rhyme.”
Louise pouted her lips as if she were sulking.
“I can’t think of anything. Writing it poetically is a pain in the neck. I’m not a poet or anything.”
“It’s ok, just read what you have written there.”
With a troubled look, she read her ‘poetic’ lines.
“Um, as fire is hot, one needs to be careful.”
“’Needs’ isn’t poetic. You should probably remember that.”
“Shut up. When the wind blows, those who sell barrels prosper.[1]"
“Why would you use that proverb here?”
Louise, who didn’t seem to have any poetic talent, threw herself on the bed as if sulking and whispered, “I’m going to sleep.”
As was now usual, she changed while hiding her body behind her bedsheets. After turning off the lamp she called out to Saito, who had dove onto his haystack already.
“I said to sleep in my bed, didn’t I?”
Saito’s heart started racing.
“Really? It's ok?”
Louise didn't respond. Saito slipped into the bed thinking that she would probably get angry if he didn’t do what he was told.
Louise was still awake. She opened her mouth, as if she had wanted to talk to him.
“So, you’re really going to the lands in the east?”
“Yeah.” Saito replied.
“It’s dangerous you know. Those elves hate humans…”
“But humans live in the areas beyond the lands of the elves right? Like that place called Rub' al.”
“The nature of those humans is completely different. It’ll be dangerous.”
It seemed like Louise was worried about letting Saito go.
“You’re still going to go?”
Saito thought about it briefly and nodded.
“Well, I might be able to find a clue to go back home.”
Louise was moving around under the sheets. Just as he was wondering what she was doing, she rested her head on his chest.
“Wha-“
“I'm just using it instead of my pillow!” Said Louise in a sulky and angry voice.
Louise placed her hands on his chest and lightly traced her fingers on it. Electricity seemed to flow through Saito’s spine.
“Don’t misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean I like you or anything!” Louise said in an embarrassed voice.
She then went back to her usual angry voice.
“Are you still going to go even if I say no?”
Saito remained silent.
“I thought so…” Louise whispered.
“This isn’t your world, is it… Of course you’d want to go back.”
Louise’s hair had a beautiful fragrance. The sound of her breathing was close as well. The two were silent. Saito was thinking of many things. Saito wasn’t talking, and Louise didn’t know what else to say, so she simply hugged Saito’s chest tightly.
“I don’t want you to leave. When you’re beside me I can sleep without worrying. You make me angry…” Louise said in a tiny voice while embracing Saito.
Looks like those puffy eyes were because she didn’t sleep, thought Saito. Soon, Louise’s steady breathing, like that of a child’s, could be heard near Saito’s chest. She was fast asleep.
Louise was so pampered it made his heart race. Seems like she’s uneasy without me around. Well, I’m a familiar after all.
Listening to her breathing, Saito was deep in thought. He thought of the people he had met in this world.
He had met many people within his few months in Halkeginia. There were evil people, but also kind people.
There was Marteau from the kitchen who gave him food.
Osman, who had told him he would lend him his hand if he needed help.
Colbert, who had gladly concocted the gasoline for him.
A snob and often offensive, but a friendly person who had his own qualities, Guiche.
Not a human but a sword, a partner he had depended on, Derflinger.
Henrietta, the beautiful princess.
Courageous… and dead because of it, Prince Wales.
Tabitha, a silent person but someone who had saved him on numerous occasions.
The seductive Kirche, who said she liked Saito, though it might have been a joke.
Siesta, the cute and kind maid… who probably had feelings for him.
And lastly, his master next to him, who made his heart race. Arrogant and stuck up, but one who occasionally showed kindness that would melt his heart, Louise. A girl with pinkish blond hair and big reddish brown eyes.
When the time comes for me to go home, will I be able to leave these people with a smile on my face?
Will I be able to leave Louise with a smile?
I don’t know.
But… Saito thought
The people who have been kind to me, I want to do the most I can for them.
At least while I’m in this world, I want to do something for them.
He hadn’t felt these feelings before up until now.
For the time being, Saito embraced Louise’s head gently.
Louise groaned in her sleep.
VOLUME 3 ~ CHAPTER 10
“Are you an idiot!? You want to return to your own world right? How is dying here going to help?!”
“Siesta treated me kindly. You too, Louise.”
Louise’s face turned red.
“I’m not from this world. I don’t necessarily have to care what happens to this world, but I want to at least protect the people who have treated me well.”
Louise noticed that Saito’s hands were shaking. Raising her head, she said, “Aren’t you scared? You idiot. Stop trying to act cool if you’re scared!”
“I am scared. I’m even reluctant to do this. But that prince said, the importance of protecting something, will make you forget the fear of death. I think he’s right. That time, when fifty thousand Albion soldiers came charging towards us… I wasn’t scared. I was busy thinking of protecting you, so I wasn’t scared. I’m not lying.”
“What are you saying? You’re just a commoner. You aren’t a courageous prince or anything.”
“I know. It’s got nothing to do with whether I’m a prince or a commoner. Which country you were born in, the time period… even which world, is irrelevant. If you are a man, then you would surely think the same way.”
Louise’s face started to distort as she tried to hold back her tears.
“If you die, what will I do…? No… I, if you die…”
“I won’t die. I will come back. If I die, I won’t be able to protect you right?”
“I’m going as well.”
“No. You’re staying here.”
“No, I’m going as well.”
“You can’t.”
As his hard-found courage was about to escape him, Saito separated himself from Louise and climbed into the cockpit from the wing.
Suddenly he realized. He hadn’t refueled the plane.
Saito left Louise there and rushed off to Colbert’s laboratory. With her fists tightly clenched, she groaned. Why was he so stubborn! Even though I said it would be dangerous… Louise bit her lip and held back her tears. Nothing would come from crying. Louise looked at the Zero fighter.
“What chance does this thing have of winning against Albion’s forces!?”
Tired, Louise cuddled with Saito.
“Hey Louise.”
“Hm?” replied Louise, absentmindedly.
A feeling of fatigue overcame her. But this was a nice tired feeling. It was fatigue that came with the satisfaction of accomplishing something.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“What was that just then?”
“It’s a legend.”
“Legend?”
“I’ll explain later. I’m tired.”
Saito nodded and smiled. He patted Louise gently on the head.
Below them, the Tristain troops had just charged at the Albion forces. The vigor of the Tristain troops was obvious even to a novice. It was vigor that even would triumph against enemies that outnumbered them.
“Yeah, later is fine.”
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