Zero no Tsukaima:Volume3 Chapter9
The Germanian king, Albrecht the Third, had arranged for princess Henrietta’s wedding ceremony to take place in Germania’s capital, Vindobona. The date of the ceremony… the first day of the Nyuui (ニューイ) month.
Currently, the Mercator flagship fleet of Tristain was to welcome the guests of the New Albion government by leading them to La Rochelle, where they would stay anchored in the skies above it.
The commander in chief of the fleet, Count La Ramée, sat in the quarterdeck in formal attire. Next to him, captain Fevisu (フェヴィス) was stroking his moustache. It was far past the arranged time.
“Those guys sure are late Captain.”
La Ramée replied with an irritated voice.
“Those Albion dogs who killed their king with their own hands are probably still busy acting like dogs”
The sailor on the top deck suddenly informed him of the fleet’s approach in a loud voice.
“A fleet! From the left!”
With a large ship leading in front, which could easily be mistaken as a cloud, the Albion fleet had started to descend.
“So that’s the standard of Albion’s ‘Royal Sovereign’ fleet…” Said the captain, watching the large ship in awe.
It was the ship that would have had the ambassador in it.
“Something that no one would want to meet on a battlefield, that’s for sure.”
The Albion fleet descended to Tristain's level and signaling messages could be seen hoisted on the mast.
“We thank you for your fleet’s welcome. This is the captain of Albion’s Lexington.”
“We have an admiral on board! Using a captain to correspond… we’re being treated like fools” the captain said resentfully, while looking over Tristain’s weak array of ships.
“They’re probably thinking the world is within their hands now that that they have that ship. Reply to them with ‘We give you our warmest welcome. This is the chief in command of the Tristain fleet’”
La Ramée’s words were passed on to the sailor who was standing on the mast. The signaling flag for the message was then hoisted up.
The Albion fleet fired their cannons. It was a cannon salute. There were no shells inside the cannon, they had merely let gunpowder explode.
However, when the Lexington fleet did a mere cannon salute, the air around it shook. La Ramée retreated slightly. If shells were used, they couldn’t possibly reach the distance separating them. Even while understanding this, the force of the cannons of the Lexington fleet was able to make the experienced admiral retreat.
“Fire our cannons in response”
“How many shells shall we fire? For the top nobles, eleven is required.”
The number of shells to be fired was depended upon the person’s rank and social status.
“Seven will do” ordered La Ramée watching with a grin on his face like a stubborn child.
“Prepare the cannons! Seven shots, one by one! Fire when they’re ready!”
On the afterdeck of the Lexington flagship fleet, Bowood was looking to the left at the Tristain fleet. Next to him, was Sir Johnston, the commander in chief, and also the person commanding the entire invasion squad. Being a member of the council of nobles, Cromwell trusted him deeply. However, he had no experience. He was a politician after all.
“Captain…” Johnston said to Bowood in a worried voice.
“Sir?”
“Is it alright to go so close to them? We have those new model long range cannons equipped right? Draw some distance. His Excellency has entrusted me with important soldiers.”
“Cromwell’s puppet huh…” Bowood whispered coldly to himself.
“Yes we do have those new model cannons, but if we fire from maximum range, they won’t hit”
“But I bear his Excellency’s task of letting off those soldiers safely in Tristain. We can’t have the soldiers being scared. Their morale will drop.”
“The ones being scared are not the soldiers I think…” Bowood thought.
Ignoring Johnston, he lay down a new command. In the sky, there is no law after all.
“Prepare the left cannons”
“Yes sir! Prepare the left cannons!”
The sailors on the deck started to load the cannons with gunpowder and shells.
A thunderous roar could be heard from the Tristain fleet, which was aiming for the skies. It was the Tristain fleet firing their cannons in response to the cannon salute.
The battle plan had commenced.
During that moment, Bowood had turned into a soldier. The political details, his human feelings, the cowardice and foul play of this operation were all forgotten. As the captain of the Lexington fleet of The Republic of the Holy Albion, he proceeded to rapidly issue orders.
The crew of the old Hobart ship trailing at the end of the fleet had finished their preparations, and started to evacuate via the boats they had made levitate with the “Fly” spell.
A startling scene unfolded before La Ramée’s eyes. The ship trailing at the end… the oldest and one of the smallest ships had started to go up in flames.
“What? A fire? Was it an accident?” whispered Fevisu (フェヴィス)
The next instant, another startling thing occurred. The ship that was on fire was surrounded by flames and exploded in the air.
The Albion ship was reduced to ruins and came crashing down to the ground.
“W-What is this? Did the fire catch on to the ammunition storage?”
The Mercator ship was in an uproar.
“Calm down! Calm down!” Fevisu (フェヴィス) yelled at the sailors.
A flag signal was sent from the Lexington ship. A sailor started reading the signals with a telescope.
“From the Lexington fleet captain. Explain the meaning behind sinking Hobart”
“Sinking? What is he saying?! It exploded by itself!”
La Ramée was panicking.
“Send a reply. ‘The firing from my ship was a response to your salute. They didn’t contain any shells’”
A reply was sent promptly by the Lexington.
“The attack by your ship was not without cannon shells. We shall return your intent of war”
“What nonsense!”
La Ramée’s cry was drowned by the bombardment of the Lexington.
Impact. The mast of the Mercator broke off and a few holes been made in the deck.
“How can their cannons reach such a distance?!” said a surprised Fevisu (フェヴィス) on the shaking deck.
“Send a message! ‘Cease fire, we have no intent of war’”
The Lexington sent a barrage of cannon shells as a reply.
Impact. The ship was shaking and fires had started here and there.
Like a shriek, Mercator’s message repeated over and over.
“We repeat! Cease fire! We have no intent of war!”
The Lexington’s fire showed no signs of stopping.
Impact. La Ramée’s body was sent flying out of Fevisu’s (フェヴィス) sight.
At the same time, from the shock of the impact, Fevisu (フェヴィス) collapsed to the ground. He realized suddenly. The attack was all planned. They didn’t have any intention of a “good-willed visit” at all. They were all deceived by Albion.
The ship had started to go up in flames and the injured sailors were groaning in pain. Shaking his head while standing up, Fevisu (フェヴィス) yelled, “The commander in chief has died! The flagship captain will now take control of the fleet! A report on the damages! Full speed ahead! Prepare the right cannons!”
“So they’ve finally realized.” Said Waldo, who was standing next to Bowood, leisurely watching the Tristain fleet. Waldo also did not think the commander in chief, Johnston, who was worth nothing of the title, could do much. The strategy of landing the soldiers was actually entirely commanded by him.
“Seems like it, viscount. However, it seems we will win soon enough.”
The Albion fleet, which had superior mobility, had already taken actions to suppress the full on charge on the Tristain fleet.
The Albion fleet kept a fixed distance, and continued firing their cannons. Their fleet number was twice that of Tristain’s and in addition they had the huge Lexington ship, which had new model cannons. There was no contest in firepower.
As if they were tormenting the Tristain fleet, they continued their fire. The Mercator, which was already on fire, had started to slant. In an instant, the Mercator disappeared from the skies with a deafening roar. It had exploded. None of the ships in the Tristain fleet were undamaged. Losing the flagship, the fleet was thrown into chaos.
Destroying them was only a matter of time now. Ships could be seen hanging their white flags already.
On the Lexington ship, cries of “Long live Albion! Long live the holy king Cromwell!” could be heard. Bowood knitted his eyebrows. During the days of the Royal Air force, no one used to chant things like “Long live so and so” during battle. Even the commander in chief, Johnston had joined in.
“Captain, a new page in history has begun.” Said Waldo
As if mourning for his enemies who didn’t even have a chance to cry out in pain, Bowood whispered, “No, only a war has begun.”
Soon after the news of the entire fleet in La Rochelle had been wiped out, a declaration of war had been issued by Albion. It blamed Tristain for breaking the non-aggression treaty by attacking their fleet without reason, and lastly stated “As an act of self defense, The Holy Republic of Albion shall declare war on the kingdom of Tristain.”
The palace, which had been busily occupied with Henrietta’s departure for Germania, was suddenly thrown into a state of confusion from the events.
The generals, cabinet ministers and the like immediately held a meeting. But the meeting was just a disordered ramble. Opinions that they should inquire Albion about the circumstances of the events, or that they should dispatch messengers requesting aid were thrown about.
Sitting in the meeting’s seat of honor was a shocked Henrietta. She was wearing her beautiful wedding dress that had just been finished stitching. It was originally planned for her to head to Germania by a carriage after the dress had been finished.
She was like a blooming flower in the meeting room. But no one had even noticed.
“Albion states that our fleet attacked them first! However our side says they only did a cannon salute”
“Accidents can cause misunderstandings.”
“Let’s hold a meeting in Albion to sort this out! Perhaps there is still a chance to mend this misunderstanding!”
While the powerful nobles stated their opinions, the Cardinal Mazarini nodded.
“Right. Dispatch a special envoy to Albion. We will approach this cautiously, before it turns into a total war over a mere misunderstanding.”
At that moment, an urgent report arrived.
The messenger carrying the letter from the carrier owl, rushed into the meeting room.
“It’s an urgent report! After landing, the Albion fleet has started capturing land!”
“Where did they land?”
“The outskirts of La Rochelle! It seems like in the field of Tarbes!”
In the garden of her parent’s house, Siesta hugged her young siblings, watching the skies with an uneasy face. An explosive sound was heard not long before in the direction of La Rochelle. Surprised, she went out to the garden and saw the dreadful scene in the sky. Numerous ships were on fire and were falling down, crashing onto the mountain’s surface and dropping into the middle of the forest.
The village was in a state of confusion. After a short while, a large ship had descended from the sky. The ship, so large that it could be easily mistaken for a cloud, anchored itself by dropping it’s anchor on the field of the village.
Numerous dragons flew out of it.
“Sister, what’s happening?” asked her younger brothers and sisters.
“Let’s get in the house” urged Siesta, hiding her fear.
In the house, her parents were looking out the windows with troubled expressions.
“Isn’t that the Albion fleet?” her father said, looking at the ship anchored on the field.
“Could it be … A war?”
Her father shook his head.
“That’s not possible. We have a non-aggression treaty with Albion. The lord proclaimed that only recently.”
“Then what was all the ships falling down about?”
The dragons flying above the ship headed towards the village. Her father grasped his wife and stepped away from the window. With large cries, the dragons flew within the village and set the houses on fire.
Her mother screamed. The house was alight and the glass from the windows scattered everywhere. The village was saturated in the blazing flames, roaring of the dragons and the shrieking of the people. Carrying her unconscious mother, the father turned to Siesta, who was shaking.
“Siesta! Take your siblings and run to the forest!”
Straddling a large wind dragon, a smile appeared on Waldo’s face as he trampled on his home country. The dragoons under his command rode fire dragons. A wind dragon cannot match a fire dragon in power, but they surpass them in speed. He had chosen the wind dragon solely because he was commanding. To clear the path for the main unit of soldiers, Waldo mercilessly set the village on fire. In the background, soldiers were dropping down one by one with ropes from the Lexington ship. The field was an excellent strategic foothold for the invading troops.
From the direction of the field, dozens of the neighboring lord’s troops were charging forward. If they were to attack the troops disembarking from the field, it would become a tight situation. Waldo signaled his underlings to crush the small opposition force. A barrage of fire magic flew at the dragons but still, they ferociously charged forward. And so the reckless force was utterly devastated by the dragon’s flames.
It was past noon. Reports of the events came bursting in the conference room.
“The lord of Tarbes has died in battle!”
“The scout sent to investigate the dragoons has not returned!”
“We still haven’t received a reply from Albion regarding out enquiries!”
Meaningless discussions repeated themselves in the conference room.
“We should request aid from Germania!”
“Aggravating the matter like that would…”
“How about attacking them with our whole dragoon force?”
“Round up the remaining ships! All of them! No matter how old or small!”
“Let’s dispatch a special envoy! Attacking them will only give them an excuse to engage in a total war!”
The meeting could not reach an agreement. Mazarini was having difficulty coming to a conclusion himself. He was still hoping for a way to settle things diplomatically.
Amongst the heated debate, Henrietta looked at the “wind” ruby she wore on her ring finger. It was a memento of Wales. She was reminded of the man’s face she entrusted herself to.
Did I not vow to this ring back then?
If my dear Wales has courageously died then… I too should try live courageously.
“Tarbes is up in flames!”
She was surprised at her own voice but quickly came back to herself. With a deep breath, she stood up. Everyone looked at her. Henrietta spoke with a trembling voice.
“Aren’t you all ashamed of yourselves?”
“Princess?”
“Our lands are being captured by enemies. There are things to do before bickering about alliances and special envoys isn’t there?
“But… princess… It’s just some tension caused by a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? How can you still say that? Sinking a ship during the cannon salute is a bit extreme isn’t it?”
“We have signed a non-aggression treaty. It is an accident.”
“And that treaty is as easily broken as paper. They didn’t have any intention of keeping that treaty. It was just a lie to gain time. Albion’s actions clearly show that they have the intention of war.”
“But…”
Henrietta hit the table and started yelling.
“The blood of people are being spilled while we are doing this! Is it not the duty of nobles to protect them? For what reason do we bear royal and noble names? Have they not let us reign over them so we can protect them in times of need like this?”
Everyone was speechless. Henrietta continued with a cold voice.
“You’re all scared, aren’t you. Albion is a large country after all. If we counterattack our chances of winning are slim. Is it because you will be made responsible as one of the people involved in the counter attack after the battle is lost? You all plan to stay reserved to lengthen your lives?”
“Princess” Interjected Mazarini.
However, Henrietta continued.
“Then I will ride forth. You can continue your meeting here”
Henrietta burst out of the conference room. Mazarini and numerous nobles tried to hold her back.
“Princess! You should rest before your wedding!”
“Ugh! It’s so hard to run in this!”
Henrietta tore her wedding dress so that it was above her knees and threw the torn piece at Mazarini’s face.
“Perhaps you can go get married”
“My carriage and my guards! Come!” she yelled when she reached the courtyard.
Her carriage was brought, led by holy beasts known as unicorns.
The refraining magical defense squad in the courtyard assembled at once at Henrietta’s call.
She unfastened one unicorn and straddled it.
“I shall command all the troops! Regiments, assemble!”
Knowing the situation, every soldier saluted simultaneously.
Henrietta gave the unicorn’s stomach a hit.
The unicorn magnificently raised its hooves up high under the bright sun and set off.
“Follow the princess!” cried the soldiers while following Henrietta, mounted on the beasts.
“Follow! A delay brings shame to the family name!”
The nobles in the courtyard dashed out. Contact was made to the regiments scattered about the town.
Watching this absent mindedly, Mazarini looked up at the skies.
I knew we would go to war with Albion someday, despite my efforts, but… our country is not prepared.
He was not actually concerned about his own life. He bore the worries of the country in his own way, and for the sake of the people, he had reached such a judgement. Even if it meant a small sacrifice, he didn’t want to engage in a lost battle.
But, it was as the princess said. His efforts and devotion to the diplomacy had been boiled away. What use is clinging to it? There are things to be taken care of first.
One of the high-class nobles whispered in Mazarini’s ear.
“Cardinal, about the special envoy…”
Mazarini slapped the nobles face with his cap. He coiled the torn piece from the wedding dress, which Henrietta had thrown at him, on his head.
“All of you! To your horses! If we let the princess go alone we will be forever cast in shame!”
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