Zero no Tsukaima:Volume16 Chapter1

"This war was definitely a harsh one. The war that started by former King of Gallia, Joseph's conspiracy included turning not only Romalia, but also Halkeginea into ashes."

Osman's voice resounded throughout the hall.

This is the main tower, of the second floor of the magic academy's dancing hall. Students who were dressed up nicely were listening to Osman's speech meekly.

When the sudden war between Romalia and Gallia was started, they fell in horror. Since the war between Albion had just ended, their hometown was in a desperate situation.

They were in no shape for a war.

What if the crazy Gallian King suddenly attacked them? They must have been destroyed in a heart beat.

However, this ended. In the battle of Kalkasons(??), King Joseph died fighting. In an instant, a new queen was declared and the war was over.

"We fell in horror. I didn't want to be in ashes, I mean, didn't you want to live longer? If I became ashes, I wouldn't of been able to pet a female's hips. That's something I can't live without. All of you here, also feel the same way, right?"

The hall becomes silent. Osman, after faking a cough, continued.

"However, god did not leave us! If there's a crazy king, there must be a hero! If there's a crazy conspiracy, then there's a justice that would defeat it! These people, are the ones who destroyed the ambition of that crazy king!"

The students gulped.

Yes... The ones who helped earn this victory was...

"Yes! The stupid conspiracy by that crazy king was stopped by these heroes! By the heroes whom you all know well! Let me introduce them!"

With Osman's signal, a silk damask behind him fell. The students cheered loudly.

"These people are the ones who saved this world! The Ondine Knights and the Shrine Maidens of our lord!"

There, there were the Ondine Knights in formal attires, Louise, and Tiffania. Amidst cheers such as "Woooooh!", "Hooray Ondine Knights!", and "Hooray Tiffania!", the boys and girls blush out of honor and shyness.

The students at the academy were made to realize that the knights who go to the same academy as they do has done tremendous achievements in this war.

"Listen students. Though it was their first experience in battle, they've achieved quite a lot. The one on one battles, destroying those strong golems in the Tiger Road. The one on one on Linen River, and Joseph's unimaginable... the huge fire ball that used the magic of the elves..., those fires that destroyed the huge fleet... it is said that it was all because of their achievements!"

Cheers roared even more.

The fighting of the Knights, especially the vice commander Chevalliere de Hiraga's achievements were passed down to everybody.

This was the first instance in which a single knight, a group of knights to lead a victory through their achievements. Moreover, rumors say that the new queen is Tabitha who recently were the same students as them. Although nobody knows what kind of drama occured, the Ondine Knights must have played a part on helping Tabitha becoming the queen.

The beautiful... glorious victory's outcome.

And the fact that they had connections to the new queen of Gallia. The students of the academy felt unmeasurable happiness because they were studying at the same exact schools as the heroes, and were very close in age.

They guarded the new queen Charlotte to the capital of Gallia, Lutèce from Calcasons(?) along with the Romalia army, and then went in the castle.

The citizens of Gallia welcomed them with great cheers.

After that, they have guarded her majesty queen Henrietta to Tristain, and have come back.

"Hooray for the Ondine!"

Osman stood in front of the boys and congratulated every one of them.

"Yes yes, I feel honored as if I am you all. Since you guys are me! I, the principal of this magic academy has raised you single handily... yes yes!"

Osman nods happily as he congratulates.

"I raised you all, yes yes"

The Ondine Knights looked at each other. It's true that the principal is principal, but did he even teach us anything? Did he even raise us? They made such faces. Along with this, other students in the crowd's cheer slowly faded.

"Y.. yes! It's all thanks to your teachings!"

The clever Guiche took Osman's side. It's not a bad thing to lend Osman a favor or two.

Then, Osman looks sharply at Guiche then goes near him.

"Guiche..."

"Yes! Old Osman!"

Expecting some sort of medal, Guiche stood as perfect as he can.

"You are a very nice student. I'll give you a prize."

Guiche shaked with happiness. Not only did he already receive a medal, he receives another big honor. What will it be? Will it be the treasure wand made of gold and diamond tips that is only given to the top student of the academy? If he does receive such treasure, it's as if his path for success is promised......

However, Osman's words betrayed Guiche's thoughts.

"You can hug me."

Osman said it straightforwardly.

"Excuse me?"

However, Osman continues to pull Guiche towards him with his thumb. Guiche shook his head.

Next was Saito.

"You can hug me."

Saito shakes his head without a word. Then Reynal.

"You can hug me."

Reynal, after his face showing slight anger, whispers "Don't mess around."

"You make fun of... our pride... and honor.... Why you..."

Though he tried to talk back to Osman, it was too late. At that time, Osman was with Adrian next to him. He is Reynal's classmate with short red hair.

He shook his head before even being asked for a hug. Then, Osman went next to next: Alsenu, Guston, Varantun, Victor, Paul, Ernesto, Oscar, and Gazmeal.

Feeling a little tension in their faces, they all shook their head no. Not a single person didn't want to hug Osman. Nor did they understand why they had to. Amidst the awkward tension around the Ondine Knights, Osman came towards the final one, Maricorne.

Malicorne, without waiting for Osman saying so, immediately said,

"Okay!"

Osman, after staring at Maricorne for a little then starts saying, well, leaving the jokes aside... Reynal who was about to jump Osman is stopped by the fellow Ondine Knights.

"The government gave you all honor befitting your performances."

Ms. Chevreuse, who was dressed in formal attire just like the Ondine Knights appeared. She had something in her hand. The Ondine Knights who saw what she was holding widened their eyes out of surprise. There was black writing along with a silver pentagon, shining across.

"Is this... the cape for a chevalliere!?"

Guiche screamed.

"Yes. The achievement of the Ondine Knights in this war is enough to recognize the captain, Guiche as 'chevalliere'."

That was true. Though Saito was the one who did all the achievements, the ones who joined the Gallian King Queen War (is what it is called by everybody) was only the Ondine Knights. It was easily enough for such titles. In other words, if Tristain didn't bother giving a title like this, the people would start to question Tristain's ways and thinking. Politically speaking, this chevalliere was definitely needed.

Guiche, shaking, humbly accepted the cape. The knights congratulate Guiche.

"You did it, captain!"

"Now we have two chevallieres in our knight of Ondine!"

"And also, though we can't give you all chevalliere, you all deserve a medal. It's the Medal of White Hair Soul."

Then, Mr. Gito appeared. As always, he seemed unfriendly. In heart, he felt jealously for his students getting medals.

"Well, one can say you did sort of good. Take it"

With a bored look, he hangs the medals around the knights' necks. Proudly, the kids smiled. It wasn't just honor. Having a Soul Medal also gives annual money. For those knights who have barely no pay, this is pretty big.

After the medals were handed out, Osman stood in front of the two girls, Louise and Tiffania.

"Well, since you guys came as shrine maidens, we apparently are not allowed to give medals. Well, that makes sense since those are medals designed for soldiers. However, from the Tristain religion officials, you two have received a certificate of the priest Juno. They apparently exactly had two seats open."

The students gave a sigh. To receive a certificate of a priest is the gateway towards being rich. Since if one becomes a priest, almost all taxes are free, and in reverse one can gain parts of the church taxes. Therefore, with that certificate, one can gain money by doing nothing. Though it's not a lot of money due to being an ordinary priestess, it couldn't be compared to the annual pay of a single medal.

To do a rough count, Guiche has about 500 Écu, the other knights about 200 Écu, Louise and Tiffania about 800 Écu promised of annual pay.

Loud claps rang throughout the hall. However, everybody suddenly realized.

Saito is the only one who didn't receive anything. Thinking that there is something special for Saito later on, Osman declares the start of the party.

Well, he did receive the chevalliere last time... Maybe he was just an extra this time... The crowd accepted this illogical reasoning.

Huge banquet came after. Around the Ondine Knights, students gathered.

"Lord Guiche! Please tell us your achievements on the battle!"

"Sure sure, ask me anything."

Going with the flow, he started talking about the battle... but then Guiche realized a girl looking at Guiche from a distance.

"Montmorency..."

However, Montmorency looks away and walked towards the exit of the party. Guiche, immediately pushes away the students around him and chases after her.

Montmorency was standing right out of the hall, facing the opposite of where Guiche stood. She wouldn't move an inch.

Guiche walks towards her back, fixes his attire and then said to Montmorency, still not facing Guiche.

"I became a chevalliere."

"......."

Montmorency stayed silent. Guiche tried to walk further towards her, but stops.

"Well, I know. I completely understand. It's not me, it's all Saito who did it. He's really a great guy. I just happened to be the leader."

Guiche raised his head.

"But... I'll definitely become a man suiting my new cape. I'll also be the man fitting you...... Well, see you later."

Guiche walks back towards the hall.

"Wait!

Montmorency screamed. As Guiche turns back towards her, she runs into his chest.

"Montmo..."

"I... I'm stupid. Even though I know you are the type that moves around with girls, once you say a nice thing, I suddenly think you are amazing."

Guiche cheered in his heart.

"I promise not to look at baths."

"And, ya. I despise myself. I worried again. Since the war just starts out of no where... I thought you'd die before we'd even make up..."

Montmorency, a little modest starts crying. From this, even Guiche feels bad and sad. Guiche took something from his pocket and handed to Montmorency.

"What??"

"I was also thinking about you. I made it out of carving a sea shell. In Romalia, you apparently give this to women."

On the sea shell was a side view of a women.

"I made it while thinking about you."

"It's beautiful... I never knew you are so crafty."

With a romantic face, Montmorency looked at Guiche. They both close their eyes.... and as their lips gets closer... several girls come jumping out from the hall and screamed toward Guiche.

"Guiche! Thanks for such a fantastic carving!"

Montmorency opened her eyes widely, and pushes Guiche away.

"Umm... As I was making them, it became fun so I just unintentionally made many of those..."

"Very crafty, huh? Are you sure accessories aren't the only thing you 'unintentionally make'?"

Montmorency turns backwards and walks away.