Zero no Tsukaima:Volume14 Chapter2

Chapter 2: The Third Annual Enthronement Ceremony

The third annual enthronement ceremony of the pope was to be held 300 miles north-east from the city of Romalia, near the border Gallia, inside the Town of Aquileia. This ceremony lasts as long as 2 weeks, which makes it a grand festival.

The Romalia church makes intensive preparation towards the journey to Aquileia.

Inside a courtyard surrounded by five towers and one main tower, every single civil servants, commanders and priests board ships, each decorated with specific religious crests. In comparison, the main tower harbours a gigantic warship for the sole usage of the pope. The pier aboard the main tower is only authorised for usage when the pope wayfares.

Holy knights of the church riding on pegasuses await from the sky above, going through their procedures.

Despite the fact that Guiche and Ondine Water Spirit Knights will be the ones accompanying Henrietta on board the ship, they were delayed from boarding the ship with certain circumstances.

Everyone on the harbour, which was extended like a balcony from the main tower of the large cathedral, waits impatiently for the arrival of their companions.

"What in the world is Saito doing..."

Malicorne murmured anxiously.

Makes sense.

Though the apparant fact that the departure time is approaching, Saito, who bears quite a bit of responsbility, has yet to show up. Since he also skipped the training yesterday, it is inevitable for everyone to feel anxious.

"Did he escape out of fear?"

One of the students said with a hint of agitation. Everyone in the Ondine water spirit Knights were informed that they must prevent Gallia's conspiracy towards the pope.

Even if they assumed that the plan of Gallia was to assassinate the Pope of the highest authority in Halkeginia. They did not know what is Gallia trying to achieve through this conspiricy. But anyhow, it doesn't seem like the enemy would not be unprepared for anything.

More the reason why experiencing fear is expected.

A few students started to murmur "Knew he can't escape his status as a plebeian..." and similar topics. Guiche responded with a grunt and shook his head

"I don't think so. That is because he is a man who would still stand up no matter the number of times defeated by my Valkyrie."

"Besides, he is a man who bravely stood against an army of 70,000. How could some feeble plan of Gallia scare him?"

Malicorne nods whilst easily amending Guiche's concieted tone, at the same time refuting the theories of Saito being a scaredy cat.

Reinard, who was silent the whole time opened his mouth

"Actually... I saw Saito yesterday."

"What!?"

Everyone focuses on this teenager wearing glasses with a seemingly serious character.

"It's something which happened yesterday morning. I saw him and Louise walk out of the cathedral side by side."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Embarrassed by Malicorne's roar, Reinard scratches his head.

"Because... something like skipping training for a date with girls... if I said that it would hurt Saito's reputation. But on the other hand, I also understand Saito's feelings. On the night before carrying out a dangerous mission, it is a must to spend time with the one you love. After all, it might be possible to die on the battlefield."

"Then aren't we the same?"

Hearing what Gimli said, Guiche shook his head

"The one in most danger is actually Saito. That guy messed around with the Gallian enemies a few times. Anyhow, it should be about time he comes out already."

As Guiche commented, Louise and Henrietta showed up, accompanied by Tiffania and Agnes. Seeing Louise's clothing, Guiche and the group were stunned.

"Aah! Isn't this the dress of a nun?"

What Louise and Tiffania was actually wearing, is a white robe worn by priests. All of the seams were sown together using bright orange thread. On the neck hangs a holy object, giving the impression that they were outstanding nuns.

"Both of them will participate the ceremony as the status of a nun."

Agnes explained to the people in frozen status.

Tiffania's sharp, pointy ears were covered perfectly by the hood, a much better fit than her usual hat, since none of the Philipe? believers would dare lay a hand on a nun. Just the perfect safety charm.

Unknown if it is also because of the same reason, Tiffania seems to be brighter than usual.

On the other hand, Louise kept making a frowned face. Grasping the holy object tightly, as if muttering the prayers to God. With Louise's unusual attitude, Guiche cannot help but feel uneasy himself.

Althought he wanted to inquire about what happened to Saito, under the presence of Henrietta, he was unable to make the words form at his mouth. Just as Guiche was wondering about what happened, Henrietta asked the excat thing what Guiche wanted to know.

"Did something happen to Saito de Chavelier? It seems that he is yet to appear?"

Guiche lifted his head and said

"It is what I had in mind as well. Louise, what happened to Saito? He was with you yesterday, right?"

But still, all Louise did was holding the holy object tensely. Observing Louise's weird attitude, Henrietta seems to notice something, and asked her

"Louise, you look like you know what happened."

Louise took a long, deep breath and told everyone looking at her

"Saito has already returned."

Everyone was stunned too stunned to say anything. Henrietta's stared at Louise with wide eyes. Tiffania covered her lips wide open from shock. Guiche, with a surprised tone asked Louise for more details

"H-He went back to the Academy?"

Louise shooked her head and replied

"He returned to his world."

Everyone froze like a statue after hearing those words from Louise.

"Louise! What happened! Tell us everything!"

Guiche franticly shook Louise shoulders. Slowly, she brushed off his hands and replied

"You should all know that Saito is from Robert? Argle? Kalia?, right?"

The Ondine Knights nodded. Everyone knew that Saito came from the place called "The East".

"... Saito received letters from his mother. It told him to come home"

"So you returned her request?"

Louise nodded. Malicorne pulled his hair and screamed.

"At this moment, it won't matter much if he didn't go back! Right at this critical moment..."

After hearing what Malicorne had to say, Louise gave him a stern look

"What are you talking about! It is excatly at times like this we should send him back! To this moment Saito has always been fighting for us. You call yourself an aristocrat! Is it not sensible to-fix our own problems?"

Louise bit her lip, still holding the holy object tightly, and continued

"In any case, from this point onwards, we will never involve Saito in our conflicts!"

Malicorne then said with a troubled voice

"Although I don't completely understand... does this mean that we can never see Saito again? Or will he come back after assuring his mother?"

Louise closed her eyes for a while... then nodded. A pale-faced Louise never let go of the holy object in her hands, and returned to her murmuring. It is a prayer to God.

Noticing Louise's actions, the Ordine Knights's faced changed to a worrying white.

"Prayers, you can continue later. I still have another question, may I ask you of it?"

"Go on."

"Is it of Saito's own decision? Did Saito himself ever say he 'must go home'?"

Louise shook her head.

"I sended him back."

"How did you do it?"

"That I can't answer."

Everyone standing next to Louise, became aware of Henrietta's strained face and stopped further pursuit. Everyone seemed to sense that this involved top secrets of the country.

However, the words of Louise stimulated everyone. Despite the end of dwelling on this subject, voices of blame continues to come out from the mouths of the Ondine Knights.

"This is no good! Even if he is your familiar, aren't you acting too much on your own accord!"

"Did not! I thought of it throughoutly first!"

Malicorne tilted his head a little and said

"Right, but I don't think in the same direction. Perhaps Saito actually wanted to fight alongside us. If I were him I would've thought this way."

The teenagers all concurred with Malicorne's words and nodded vigorously. Louise began to say something, but was interrupted by Henrietta.

"Do you intend to shame me?"

All of this commotion between Talisting's Queen and her Knights caught the attention of the priests and officials of Romanlia nearby, all of the desperate to eavesdrop.

With the sudden reminder from the Queen, the boys made a flustered face.

"It's a problem to be short of one chevalier, but a bunch of panicking guards because of this is another big issue. And I originally considered all of my handpicked guards to be brave knights..."

Being scolded by the Queen with such a serious tone, it stroke fear in all of the boys' heart. Henrietta promptly followed Louise, who was hurried to board the ship, and walked up the gangplank. Without exchanging expressions or words, one by one the Ondine Knights all followed Henrietta aboard.

Louise entered her cabin that was prepared for them and began to pray as she kneeled on her bed. Tiffania was staring at Louise across the room with concern.

She was obviously confused with the sudden event.

What does she mean by 'Saito returned'?

She once heard a story in the Westwood of Albion that there was a 'another world'.

... She said that letters were received by his mother from another world. I don't know how letters can be sent from a different world. But since Louise said so, it is probably true.

Speaking of which, when he was with me in the village he was talking about his hometown and began crying. I consoled with him that time.

Tiffania was having a mixed emotion. I'm supposed to be happy that there is a way for him to go back to his hometown, but I can't help but feel lonliness. We went through a lot of trouble together and helped each other, but this is a sudden turn of event.

She wanted to know the full story from Louise, but decided not to interrupt her praying.

Obviously troubled, she folded her arms under her chest. Just as she was pondering what to do next, knocks sounded from the door.

Standing there was Henrietta, accompanied by Agnes.

"Henrietta-sama."

Henrietta approached Louise but Louise didn't notice her as she continued to pray.

"Louise, please stop praying and look at me."

Finally, Louise lifted her head in silence, but did not look at Henrietta either.

She remembered the spell casted by the Pope 'World Door'.

"Louise, did Saito really go back to his world? You must have spoke to the Pope and (person from Vol 13 last chapter). Did (person) really used void magic to send Saito back"

Louise closed her eyes and nodded.

What would make her send him back?

They would like to ask a detailed story, but right now there is no time.

Henrietta placed her hand on Louise's shoulder and whispered to her ears.

"We'll talk about this later on."

Henrietta went to the cabin of the Ondine Knights and gave them a lecture, not to panic from the sudden news. Although the boys seem to disapprove, this did, after all, came from the Queen and had no choice but to nod their heads.

She then returned to her own bedroom and made Agnes leave.

Resting her head on her elbows on the windowsill, silent tears glittered from the shine of the moonlight, a direct comparison to her smooth white skin.

While letting tears flow, she realised dependent she was, on the familiar of Louise. Even though he has not many relations to this world, she still gave him such dangerous tasks with heavy burdens.

He has now returned to the world he belongs to.

"Isn't this supposed to be a blessing?"

Until now I've always made mistakes. Now, I have to somehow do all this by myself. I am the Queen...

She understands her own reasoning, but for some reason the tears continued to flow from Henrietta's beautiful pair of eyes.

"It must be that I wasn't prepared for the sudden farewell", Henrietta thought

As soon as the boat carrying Pope Victorio on the other side of the waterway, the crowds congregated on the docks of Maltailago bursted into cheers.

The city of Aquileia next to the border of Gallia, which was made from a filling the oceans to connect several artificial island using just sand and stones. An incredible number of narrow waterways run around the city throughoutly, just like a maze. This city has been the stage and setting for famous conspiracies and romance for quite a few times in history.

The ship "Saint Moraco" carrying the pope started to desend slowly. The hull of the ship seemed to violently push away the calm waters, making great waves. The water started to overflow and formed small little waves running across the surface of Aquileia's centre. Soon, the centre was flooded with seawater. This fact, however, did not upset the gathered group of Aquileians, who risked being completely drenched to approach the ship closer.

Actually, the seawater here is considered as a type of Holy Water. To the highly religious people of Aquileia, this is priceless.

The people of this city are completely used to ceremony atmosphere caused from the arrival of the pope's ship.

After the aggressive desent, the ship slowly edges itself next to the walls of the centre. Sailors quickily jumped onto the dock and anchored the ship.

With the chorus singing hymns in the lead, a winding staircase used to welcome the pope is pushed out, making creaking sounds wherever they go. The staircase is installed at the gunwale of the boat, and cloth made of purple coarse fabric was laid down from the staircase onwards to the central part of the centre.

Awaiting at the end of the winding staircase were Mayor of Aquileia with Lord Letsosonic, the other Archbishop. They knelt down greeted the honored guests with hospitality.

The first ones to appear from the staircase were a group of Holy Knights. They wore purely white mantle that covered most parts of their body and lifted holy staffs to their chests.

After a long procession of knights that came down the ramp, they were followed by the Pontifical College of Romalia. This too was a train of people long enough to make everyone can't help but wonder "where from the ship did they come from".

When these two teams have finished popping out from the ship, another round of cheers, more enthusiastic than the last, came crom the crowd.

The next group that came down the ramp was from Tristain. Queen Henrietta diligently walked down the ramp with the company of two maiden at her side together with the Ondine Knights sandwiched her fronts and backs. The allied young Queen, Henrietta also harboured a popularity worth of credit here.

Somehow, the cheers soon turned into a chant of "Long live the Queen of Tristian!", Henrietta responded with a light wave.

And... after all those honored guests have showed up, as soon as the starring actor of this day showed himself, the masses suddenly became erringly quiet. Even the young boy selling water who was yelling "Hari!" took off his cap and drew a cross in front of his chest.

When Pope Ages the 32nd, Vittorio Serevare with dazzling eyes appeared in front of the people, the congregated people of Aquileia involuntarily sighed.

It was as if the shining light from this holy man had focused on each of the many people in this centre.

As soon as Vittorio raised his hands, and a smile was laid across his face... the spell of silence was broken immediately, and there were cheers so loud that it echoed throughout the place.

On the first night the pope and the people accompanying him have touched the ground of Aquileia, all of the members with knowledge of this plan were all sitting at the round table sitting inside the Cathedral of St. Lutia Aquileia.

Tiffania and Louise sat next to Henrietta, and next to them was Agnes. In a fairly distant side of the table sat Guiche with a strained face.

The other half of the table was surrounded by the officials of Romalia.

Right in the middle was pope Victorrio himself, in the accompany of Julio and the captain of the Holy Knights. Next to them is the paled faced Mayor of Aquileiaand the High Priest of St. Lutia Church, discussing topics with uneasiness.

The mayor who have been informed of this plan worriedly said

"I am familiar with the plan, but is it true that Gallia plans to attack the pope?"

It is in fact the aims of the legendary "void mage", but to avoid confusion, it was not mentioned.

Vittorio nodded while wearing a kind smile.

"It is undoubtly true. The incompetent king of Gallia wants to rule the entire Halkeginia. Our father in heaven, my ancesestors and myself are all obstacles in his eyes."

Listening to how the Pope said that without hesitation, the mayor had to wipe off the sweat furiously dripping from his forehead.

Just my luck that such a troublesome incident had to happen within my term

The mayor who was on the verge of anxious tears thought.

"In these circumstances, thou should not endanger thou self..."

One of the events of the annual coronation ceremony was continuous prayers with numerous priests and priestess.

During this event, Aquileia will be crammed with Halkeginia believers, queuing up just to catch a glimpse of the Pope praying.

"The Gallian syndicate would be disguised as one of the believers to take action", the Pope and the rest of the people thought. But to the eyes of the Mayor, this plan is like a horrendous nightmare. Should the guards of the Pope fail, he would have his name left in the books forever, guilty of incapability to protect the assassinated Pope.

"The Mayor's concerns are inevitable. However, my knights and I will strike an unerring strike a coup de grace towards our enemies."

Julio stood up and began to write the plan on the blackboard.

"As we all know, the thing we have to fear most is an attack by magic."

Smoothly, Julio drew the layout of the Cathedral with chalk.

"Therefore, to prevent our assilants from casting spells, we will use magical tools capable of detecting magic to surround the whole Cathedral!"

Julio marked a few points on the board.

"Obviously, wands or staffs are banned when visiting. However, suppose they use magic through some other method... the instant they use magic, we will be alerted by this device, and the magic caster will be arrested by the knights around here."

The mayor looks as if he let out a breath.

"Of course, this is not it. We would also cast several folds of 'air shields' to ensure the Pope's safety. Common magic or guns will be ineffective against this."

The Pope and the Mayor exchanged reassuring expressions, and nodded in agreement.

Although at many times, most of the people is impressed by this plan, one of them just doesn't seem to be convinced.

That person is Tiffania.

After hearing what Julio had said, for some reason an indescriptable emotion seemed to flash across her mind now and then. When she was small, the one who entered her house in subterfuge and killed her mother was a normal knight under the orders of the Albion King.

When an organisation as large as a country wants to eliminate people in their way... expecially when it would have a big influence on future events, would they use a conspiricy? Or would they attempt to assassinate?

If they wanted to completely remove the target, wouldn't it be more sensible to use other methods?

They would have applied a reliable, infailliable method...

Tiffania hesitabtly rose her hamd.

"Miss Westwood?"

Beaming a smile, Julio looked at Tiffania.

"Y-yes.... may I ask a question?"

"Of course."

"Then ...in front of all these great people, although I consider it to be foolish, it has troubled me for quite some time. And ..., what if Gallia sends their army in?"

Henrietta smiled gently and said

"Tiffania, this you do not have to worry. Gallia is a country of deep history. The Kingdom of Gallia IS a full-fledged member of the alliance of kings, not the alliance of nobles. They still have to keep up their reputation, and would not dare violate the contract signed, and lead his army across the borders and this sort..."

As this point, Henrietta realised that with the exception of herself, no one was smiling. On the other hand, Julio nodded his head in the direction of Tiffania.

"I'd say there's a fifty percent chance of that happening."

"What!?"

Henrietta's face immediately lost its colors. Calmly, Julio continued

"Until last week, there has been not much of troops redeployment. But now, since I was cut off from my informant, I had to prepare ourselves. Near the border of Gallia, I have positioned 9,000 elite Holy Knights from 4 united teams. In addition, the fleet of Romalia is hovering above them for protection. The only fleets from Gallia capable of defeating them is the 'multi-purpose fleet'."

"You amassed an army at the borders of Gallia? Isn't this an act of provocation!"

Henrietta stood up and yelled.

"It does not matter even if it was taken as provocation, as long as it makes our job easier."

"This is different from what we agreed! Your holiness, are you trying to trigger a war?"

Vittorio shook his head and replied

"We are not the ones starting a war, the king of Gallia is."

"Aren't thou the one who could not tolerate bloodshed between Romalian Pilgrims! Having said all that you make preperations for the war in clandestine! I just cannot understand thou actions!"

"It is excatly because I cannot tolerate bloodshed, I would want to end this all in a showdown. That's why this plan is deviced. Anyhow, rest assured. Gallia may be called home to a horde of soldiers, we have done what we could have done."

"Contemptible! Trying to conceal it to this day!"

"Your Highness"

Vittorio said with a gentle, yet dignified voice. His voice is just like magic, filled with assurance enough to make anyone calm down. Henrietta bit her lips and shoke her head in defiance.

"Although I said that I hated war, I never denied the possibility of war. I only prepared enough to counter every possible senario."

"... Thou are merely quibbling. I finally understood why you chose Aquileia next to the borders of Gallia as the venue for the coronation ceremony. Not to lure the enemy into mistakes, but to start a war"

Vittorio answered with a hint of bitterness

"The choice is not in my hands, but in Gallia's. Even now the chances of having a war is only fifty-fifty."

The mayor and the High Priest fainted away from the shocking content of the conversation. A topic which changed from a coronation ceremony to having a war really is too big for anyone to handle. Tiffania knowing that it was her question which led to this, felt goosebumps all over and held herself from shaking to virgorously.

On the other hand, Guiche, not knowing whether if it was an act out of determination or not, closed his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. Agnes was just as expressioness as usual. None of the Ondine Knights have responded much to the conversation either.

Henrietta stood up alone and stared at the motionlesss, silent Louise by her side

"I am deeply regretful that I may no longer contribute to this conversation. It is because that Louise's father and I have agreed to 'never put Louise on the fields of a battle'. Now then, Louise, let us leave."

But Louise did not respond to Henrietta's call. All she did was hang her head apologetically.

"Louise?"

Julio uses a soft, weak voice and reminded

"Miss Vallière has sworn under the name of God and our ancestors. She will devote herself for our ideals. Right now her alleigances no longer belong to you, but to our one and only God. She is now our family."

Hearing the words "sworn" made Henrietta's face change colours. To aristocrats and people of higher status, swearing is absolute. To eat your own words is no different as to suicide.

"Is that true? Y-you..."

Uneasily, Louise nodded.

Henrietta sighed and laid out her hands. An epiphany came to Henrietta. Saito is undoubtly sent back to his world in the hands of Pope Vittorio using the "world door magic".

There's one catch here... Would any Pope, having sworn to use void magic for the greater good of Halkenia, use their trump card on a mere knight?

Undoubtedly impossible.

Henrietta seemed to realise the conditions Romalia used to lure Louise into swearing under God's name.

Familiars may be replaced, but void magic users cannot.

Instead of feeling anger, Henrietta was experiencing more of an emotion called saddness. A saddness no one is capable of relieving. In other words, helpless. Henrietta savours the taste of helplessness while staring at Pope Vittorio with a pair of exhausted eyes.

"Such a beautiful move. Looks like it's checkmate for me. Even this foolish Queen finally understands how your holiness was crowned as Pope at such a young age."

A bit of annoyance emerged on Vittorio's face.

"Haven't I said before? I have my ideals. If it is to complete my objectives, I would not hesitate to do so."

Henrietta's face surged with reddness. Looks like she almost lost her mind over being angry and ashamed, but eventually controlled herself. If you think of it thoroughly, what the Pope said wasn't entirely incorrect.

Preperation for war is inevitable. Using Romalia as a scrapegoat seems unfair.

"I get it. From now on I will make decisions after thoroughly thinking what your holiness will say. As for another issue, I will have to voice my displeasurement."

"Feel free to tell us all. I am quite satisified with my actions."

Vittorio said decisively with a straight face.

"Then I will proceed. Your holiness has retired one of my close guards. Sealing the future of my knight, which means Pope Vittorio your holiness, this is a major involvement in my politics. How do you explain yourself?"

Queen Henrietta inquired with a stern tone. As if it did not matter at all, Vittorio countered

"Just as thou said, prior to Saito Chevalier De Hiraga becoming Vice-captain of your personal guards, wasn't he a personal familiar of Miss Vallière? Since Miss Vallière, as master of her familiar pleaded us to send him back, I merely acted what any Romalia Pilgrim would have done, to believe in our faith. Despite that, what Queen Henrietta said is very sensible either. Without your consent, I am slighted. I will cover your losses in any method you wish."

"Did you really send him back?"

Vittorio nodded

"Affirmative. I opened a gateway to where his soul belongs to. In other words, I send him back to his home. I believe it is a right choice to make."

As expected by Henrietta... during all this chatter, Henrietta kept shaking her head. Louise stood up suddenly, making her chair skid loudly away from her. She faced everyone and bowed, her weak shoulders trembling non-stop

"Louise." Henrietta addressed.

"...My deep apologies, everyone. I am not feeling quite well today and will take my leave."

Henrietta glared at the Pope for a short while, but eventually said, shaking her head

"Thou are really a scary person. Pope Vittorio, your holiness. After this ceremony has ended, I will have to reconsider the best method to approach the King of United Romalia."

Vittorio replied elegantly

"It is my honor to recieve your Highness's compliment."

That night...

Louise, alone in her designated bedroom, was praying.

After seeing Saito leave, Louise had almost spent all of her time praying. If she had not done that, she might have a mental breakdown.

Actually... she might already be in a mental breakdown.

Because... Just now during the conversation of "the possibilities of a war", I did not sense any change in emotion at all. It was as if it will happen in a far away land unrelated to me.

Dear Ancestors. The messengers of our holy God, our Ancestors. The holy God who will guide me. Illuminate the stars in the sky, furtile the soil of the ground, give humans your love, and help me calm down...

Repetitious prayers over and over again.

Yet, despite how many times these prayers came from Louise's lips, she was still unable to think clearly. Louise stopped all prayers and laid down on the bed. Hands covering her eyes, endless tears surfaced.

All she thought about while crying was Saito.

Even though I knew I would become depressed... yet I chose to send him back.

Even though I can't stand losing Saito.

What would Saito be doing right now?

Is he seeing his mother?

If Saito found his love in the other world... would he forget about me? Saito has always said that "he loves me"... yet I never gave him a direct response. Instead, I had to find all sorts of excuses, I had to argue with him, doing these things as if cheating his feelings again and again.

Such an obstinate girl, would be most likely forgotten.

But what about myself?

Louise shook her head.

How long will these painful days last...

"If this continues... Even devoting my whole life to Halkenia will be an impossible task."

If I can't even carry out such a simple task, there will be no value for me to live.

I could say, I already am a puppet for Halkenia. I made my choice when swearing under the name of God, in front of the Pope himself. However, to be bounded by the feelings of being discarded, do I even deserve the title of a puppet?

If this goes on... I will not be able to accomplish anything.

Any method to grant myself peace, is also a method to grant Halkenia peace...

"If I can't forget it..."

Louise knows there is only one method.

On one hand, if I did that, I would not be myself anymore...

On the other hand, is there any value to the current me?

Making Saito return home was a correct decision, but the current me who regrets everything...

What value lies in a person as contemtible as myself?

The least is to become a nun, endlessly praying... but even praying has a limit.

Afterall, to become a real nun, I must be able to unleash miracles from God.

And the real miracle... "Voidness"

Louise who have left her room stood in front of Tiffania's bedroom door. Because this place is intended as a resting place for priests and priestesses, all the doors left and right all look the same. Softly, Louise knocked on Tiffania's door, and just as hoped, Tiffania seemed to be still wide awake. After the rustling noise from bedsheets ended, came Tiffania's soft voice of enquiry.

"It's me."

As soon as Louise's voice was heard, Tiffania opened the door timidly. A Tiffania in her pajamas welcomed Louise in.

"...This. This. And also this... I'm lost myself. Too many things have happened. But..."

Tiffania seemed to have trouble forming the words in her mouth, but finally

"W-Why did you have to send Saito back? Why?...Although what you did is a sensible choice, but Louise, you..."

Louise lifted her head and interrupted in a soft low voice

"I have a request."

"Request? What kind of request?"

Unexpectedly, Louise did not reply. It looks like as if what Louise is going to say next requires a lot of courage. Tiffania is also troubled by this. Just as both of them were silent, knocks rang from the door again.

While they were pondering "who could it be", the person standing outside voiced

"It's me."

Right in front of Tiffania's bedroom, is none other than Henrietta.

"It's that I saw Louise came in..., therefore..." Henrietta mumbled.

As sudden as her knocks on the door, Henrietta took a deep bow towards Louise and Tiffania.

"In front of both of you, I do not have any excuses. Although I promised never to use either of you as a tool of war, things turned out like this."

Tiffania shook her head.

"N-Not necessarily... perhaps there won't be a war. Besides... I don't think preparing for every possible senario is something bad."

"I guess" Henrietta sighed.

"But anyhow Gallia is still an indespensible part of Halkenia. If their conspiracy does not achieve their goals, waging war is also perfectly possible. This is what I should have originally thought up of, but I ignored it and was hoping for the best, putting you two into these risks...perhaps I really do not pocess the skills a Queen should have."

Facing her cousin pouring out her thoughts, Tiffania was wide eye with shock.

"...H-Hearing you say you 'do not pocess the skills a Queen should have' or similar topics, I would be in a troubled position. If someone else heard it, wouldn't the consequences be very bad?"

Henrietta was shocked by the sudden reminder, then nodded in agreement.

"You are absolutely right. Perhaps it is because you are my cousin, I instinctively spewed out everything."

Afterwards, Henrietta looked at Tiffania with a serious face and said

"Tiffania, are you really alright with it? Even if a war broke out... would you continue to aid us?"

Tiffania gave it quite some thought, then shook her head and replied

"...To be honest, I am not sure myself either. I was brought to this world by Saito. Therefore, I would follow his decisions. But now..."

"He won't be coming back anymore. I am here to ask Louise and you about this"

Henrietta turned to Louise, who was hanging her head

"Why did you return Saito back? Yes, he is not a person from this world. Even if returning him back to his homeworld is the right decision. Louise, aren't you..."

With reference to what Henrietta just said, Tiffania nodded. Saito loves Louise. Moreover, Louise seems to love Saito as well...

"I value his presence, that's it. I do not have any excess feelings for him"

Louise said, as though neglecting a part of her true feelings.

"That's why... I thought what was best for him. What is happiness to him. For his happiness, what can I do."

A moment of silence fell across the room. Henrietta sighed and muttered "Is that so...", then held Louise's shoulders tightly.

"You're too gentle, such an idiot. Louise Françoise. Since I first knew you, you were like this. Doing these unnecessary things out of compassion. Like continuously watering a catus but eventually drowned it. ...Saito, actually desires to be your knight."

"But, even if I were like the person you described, what i did was for his sake. Every human has their own homeworld"

"I'd want to agree with you too. Afterall, we were best friends from a small age. But, I reckon the one to decide shouldn't be you. Seriously, you didn't even discuss it with me..."

Henrietta shook her head out of loneliness, closed her eyes.

"Really, I still haven't given him my words of gratitude over the countless time he's helped us..."

The air becomes dense with sadness and regret, even Tiffania who was listening silently had a sudden urge to cry. Henrietta's eyes landed on Louise's dress of a nun. Thorough the ceremony, Louise and Tiffania will have to stand next to the Pope wearing this kind of dress. Not only because of the ceremonial dress code, but also for the sake of "congregating all void magic users".

All of the trouble arose from Gallia's evil manipulator...

But to Louise, this dress also had another meaning.

"... You are not planning to live in a monastary, are you?"

"No" Louise denied with a shake of her head.

"When this is over and I have accomplished the expectations of the Pope and your Highness, I will request for the permission to become a nun."

Henrietta held Louise's hands tightly

"... My apologies, I went overboard. The one in most pain must be you."

"But, I already... can't handle it much longer"

Louise said helplessly. Then, as if determined to do this, she turned to Tiffania.

"Therefore, please Tiffania"

"Louise, do you intend to..."

Tiffania realised Louise's intention and immediately went pale.

"That's right. I want you to remove all my memories of Saito"

"What!"

Hearing what Louise suggested, Henrietta was in shock.

"Impossible! How can this be done...because, because, Saito is... is your..."

"It is excatly because of this, my memories should be erased!"

Louise yelled grasping her holy object tightly.

"We will never meet again. I am sure of it. It's because I chose it for myself. But if I continue like this, then for what purpose am I living for! Even becoming a nun of Halkenia would be an impossible task. That's why..."

"Louise, Louise, I cannot agree to this request. Because, if you do this, you would not be the same person as you are right now"

"Am I not better off that way"

Louise yelled with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Do you understand me... Tiffania, if it is another void magic user, I hope that you understand my actions. I can't stand it any longer. I no longer have the faith to last any longer. Therefore... please"

Uncertain of what to do, Tiffania glanced at Henrietta for help. Although Henrietta's face was purely white..., she solemnly closed her eyelids, nodded lightly.

"...I plead you as well. Being alive yet unable to see each other..., how is this different from being dead. It is still indescribly miserable."

Tiffania hesitated for a period of time..., then looked into Louise's eyes seriously.

"Are you sure? If I erase your memories about Saito... you will lose all your precious memories. To you, you will lose this precious time as though a gem, for an enternity. Are you still fine with it?"

Louise reached into her pockets and pulled out a pin. It's the pin Saito bought for Louise as a present back in Tristing. In silence, Louise handed it over to Tiffania.

Then, she slightly nodded.

Tiffania shook her head in sadness, but submitted to Louise's plead.

"I will never forget about Saito. Because he is my most important friend. but Louise, to you, in this memory... just the part of recalling emotions is enough to make you suffer. Despite that, I still don't think... that your decision is right. But if it is all for your sake... because, to me you are also a very important person."

Holding the wand, Tiffania started chanting the spell.

"Nausido' Iza, eiwa-zu..."

As Tiffania chants, Louise treasure every last drop of memory she recalls about Saito. She feels like she love these disappearing memories more than anything in the world.

"Hagara.yuru’.Beogu..."

The first time we met..., the disappointment caused from seeing such a familiar.

"Ni-Do.is,' arruji-zu..."

The person who saved me just as I was to be squashed to death under the foot of a golem... The guy who did not care about noble statuses and slapped me across the face... The persom whom I danced with at the ball, our coordinated footwork... The adventures at Albion... The kiss he planted while on Slipheed...

"Berukana' Man, Iagu..."

The conflicts we'd had in the midst of a war...

The Saito who sacrifices himself for the sake of me and the others...

An uncountable number of adventures.

Numerous times of wasting himself, but trying his best to save things at last minute, the knight who belongs only to Louise.

The partner made from spending day after days together, a solid bond unites us together.

The number of nights spent together alone

A few kissess...

All of these were about to disappear.

Louise muttered "I am..."

"chosing farewell for Satio, choosing to forget for myself"

"Such an obstinate girl"

But, God, please forgive me

Because from now on, I... will definitely become "void". Literally void. Like a flask void of water, a human void of feelings...

Please forgive my sins

"Void"

To be suited for my void magic, Louise thought.

The spell was done, Tiffania waved her wand. Henrietta involuntarily turned away from the sight.

The void magic shone brightly in the room, then disappeared.

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