�How about it? This was a reward from bristle spirits of the dead.�

Guiche, proud as a peacock, showed his Medal of White Hair Soul to his classmates.

�Waah,� classmates sighed.

�Could it be that it�s not White Hair but Bristles?�

Someone commented, Guiche blushed.

�Aah! Don�t say that! It's White Hair reward!�

Guiche glimpsed the nook of the classroom. Montmorency was there. Though all his classmates had gathered around Guiche, Montmorency, on the other hand, rested her elbows on a desk and stared outside the window, looking disinterested.�Hey, look this way, I want you to hear the story��Guiche felt hurt for a moment.

�Great� Guiche, you commanded the company that lunged first into the city of Saxe-Gotha?�

�Don't mention it,�

Guiche proudly nodded. Everyone praised their classmate who had great military achievements.

�No way, Guiche. Honestly before now we thought that you were just a big mouthed rascal, but now we can recognize our mistake without fail!�

�Great! Guiche! You are awesome!�

Guiche leaned back listening. Then he crossed his legs, and put up a finger still looking as proud as a peacock.

�Now, I will tell you the story about the brave army fight against the orcs.�

Aaaah, the stir happened.

Guiche looked at Montmorency again. And sighed painfully. The reason was that Montmorency still looked the other way... why was she acting this way� Guiche became sadder. He then raised his voice higher than needed. �When the wall broke, orcs came from inside, one after another! At that time, I calmly commanded my subordinates from the gun corps. First platoon! Load! Aim! Fire!�

When saying �Fire� Guiche raised and lowered his wand.

�Still, the enemy didn't flinch! Magic was needed! I rose and started casting - Earth Hand!�

He cast the spell where the hand expands from the ground and grabs one�s feet.

However, there was no soil in the classroom. Nothing happened. A strange silence swelled.

�Ka-boom! Valkyrie emerged!�

Guiche rejected the cane trying to cover himself up again. Petals of the artificial rose scattered around� and changed into seven Valkyries.

�Towards the upcoming orcs, my brave golems jumped out!�

Valkyries began to dance imitating the fight.

Someone recited the winds spell towards Guiche�s golems.

Valkyries were blown off and fell on the floor.

�Who?!�

With a sarcastic smile on his lips, De Lorraine watched Guiche. Before Tabitha�s fabulous results, he was counted to be the strongest in duels among the boys.

�If your golems were blown off by Wind magic, how were they able to withstand orcs' blows?�

�Uuh��

Guiche dropped in a cold sweat. Feeling on a roll, he had enlarged the story without thinking.

�Well� A decoy! My golems were a decoy, used to distract the attacking enemies!�

�Hey hey, I heard a while ago, that it was all the musketeers' doing. Did your magic fail? You are not so great, Guiche!�

�S-Subordinate soldiers were under commander's control!�

�But didn't you just say that it was all about your magic? Please give my sincere admiration to your company once you meet them. However, were you really a decent lead? Maybe you were leaving most things on your sub-commander's shoulders?�

Bull�s eye, Guiche felt petrified. This revealed a contradiction in Guiche�s story. Well, he needed to keep on talking to buy some time� meanwhile Montmorency stood up and left the classroom.

Guiche ran after her in a panic.

�Montmorency!�

Guiche shouted in a corridor paved with stone. Yet, Montmorency didn�t turn around, she just walked away briskly. Feeling anger emanating from her shoulders, Guiche ran up closer.

�Oi oi, please wait! Are you mad because of what I said? Darling! Hear me out, stop ignoring me!�

Guiche put a hand on Montmorency's shoulder and made her halt.

�Here, look at it. A medal! Be happy! You are the girlfriend of someone worthy of an award! As I said, here, you...�

�That doesn�t make my opinion of you any better.�

After finally turning around, Montmorency declared.

�W-Why?�

�Is the reward all that you care about? You left me without saying anything, that�s the problem!�

Not expecting such an attack, Guiche flinched. Spoiled by the praises, he could not imagine being blamed this way. �D-Don�t you know?! As a Royal Army volunteer, I could not write you letters!�

Montmorency, stared at Guiche with cold eyes. Feeling that this anger was different from usual, Guiche become silent.

�Even if it was so! That didn't mean you could not contact me! There are some things that are more important than a reward!�

He thought for a while.

�For instance?�

Because Guiche asked seriously, Montmorency�s cheeks turned red.

�Aya! Why you are hitting me!�

�Me. M-E.�

�Y-Yes.�

�Aren�t you my knight? Haven�t you told me, that if there would be a war you would stay near, protecting me? Remember?�

�Ye-Yes.�

Guiche stood upright and nodded.

�Since you left with the boys, dreadful things happened in the Academy! Meanwhile, you were going crazy attacking enemies for medals!�

That�s right� Guiche nodded. Upon returning he heard the story.

�Because you were not here, a teacher saved us, paying with his life. If only I was more skillful in water magic��

Montmorency closed her eyes, recalling that time. She started curing Colbert who was wounded by the magic arrows, but even though water magic was used... she reached her willpower�s limit and fainted. 　

Guiche quietly lowered his head.

�I, I will study more. As a member of the Montmorency house that negotiated with the Water Spirit for generations� I will ask for help to train more. If I were better at water healing� I might have helped the teacher.�

Since Colbert didn't have any relatives, Kirche took his remains. Since Kirche left home for now, she wasn�t around. It was unclear if she was going to bury the similar Fire element user in the land of Germania. The tiny girl with short blue hair, disappeared as well.

�Furthermore, even that child lost her important person. So be a little more considerate. Is this really a time for joy? Even you should not be so happy.�

Guiche remembered.

There was a rumor that Louise�s familiar Saito fought alone against Albion�s army and allowed them to retreat from Rosais.

Shaken, Louise met many times with the generals, but even though she made lots of noise, the escaping fleet would not turn back for the familiar.

Moreover, the warship commanders just laughed at that rumor. They thought it was impossible for a single person to stop an army. You cannot stop 70,000 soldiers all alone.

As for the Albion army's delay, there had to be another reason. It was blamed on their poor army management. They also thought that this familiar boy just simply ran away.

All the people around Louise kept on saying that.

And even if you assume he confronted an army of 70,000 � there was no way he would still be alive. Sadly, she should give up�

However, Louise was not content with such an opinion and kept denying it. Once the fleet returned, the news about Albion�s army surrendering to Gallia raised the confusion to the maximum. They stopped worrying about the rumors of the boy who stopped Albion�s army, thinking it to be a madman�s palaver. 　 After all, besides Saito, there were many people missing or killed.

As a result, after returning to the Academy of Magic Louise became severely depressed and hadn�t talked to anyone. As if her mind was somewhere else, she shut herself in the dormitory room and did not go out.

Saito�s fate was also part of the rumors in the Academy. Anyhow, right now Saito was famous in the academy for two things: for being a �legendary familiar� and for being the one that �should be credited for everything�.

Montmorency, who also heard these rumors, was worrying about Louise who had shut herself in and had not left her room.

�At the very least I want to comfort. I'll pay her a sympathy visit for now.�

�Now you're talking. Montmorency, you are very kind.�

�I am not really kind. You know, until now, though we are in a war� Even though it was a war, I never really fought in a war until just now��

�Yes.�

�I am like 'water' in so many different ways. I will fight my way ... I only wish I were stronger.�

Through the window, Montmorency looked up at the sky and muttered.

�I can�t allow this sadness to exist. I cannot cure if I feel sorry for myself.�

RING RING RING RING RING RING!... The alarm clock rang, and Saito opened his sleepy eyes.

He slowly climbed out of his bed.

This was Earth�s Japan, Tokyo in his own family�s two-story six-bedroom home. In his own bedroom. In an instant, he had a strange feeling, one that was difficult to explain.

It was his bedroom! But why did he have a sense of unease?

Still half asleep, Saito looked at the cat-like alarm clock: 8:30AM. The sense of unease vanished as he screamed �CRAP!� and flipped out of bed.

Wasn't he nearly late?

Saito leaped down the stairs and reached the first floor, then yelled at his mother who was washing dishes in the kitchen.

�Mother! Why didn�t you wake me up?�

�Don�t I always tell you, you have to get up on your own in the morning?�

In that instant, an overwhelming sense of homesickness nearly ran him over.

Looking at his mother�s back, Saito felt he was seeing a loved one lost long ago. He saw his mother�s shadow everyday, so what was this feeling?

But now was not the time to worry about it; he was almost late for school. Saito flew into the living room, put on the school uniform he left there, and then ran back to the kitchen with his mother: �I'm already late, gotta go mom!� grabbing a piece of toast from the kitchen table, then stuffing it into his mouth like a mouse, swallowing as he dashed out the door.

Out of the house and straight into the residential streets.

Saito suddenly froze on the spot.

Mother often complained about the house across the streets and its terrible red walls. Saito took the time to �borrow� a couple fruits from the neighbor�s persimmon tree. Nearby was a vending machine for fruit juice.

The usual, and normal, scene. Although it was an scene he was used to, there was an overwhelming sense of longing, that made everything feel dearer.

This was the third time today he felt this strange.

Saito stood there dumbfounded, unable to come up with a reason for this.

In that moment, someone called out to him from behind.

�Saito-san!�

Saito turned around, only to find a black-haired girl in his school's uniform standing there.

�Siesta!�

There was no mistake, it was really Siesta.

Though she used to be a maid in the Tristain Academy of Magic, she now stood there wearing a school uniform.

Siesta wore the western clothes Saito saw before, giving her a fresh sense of cuteness. Along with the mini-skirt worn by other students, blue western blouse with a white shirt, and knee-length socks.

What was Siesta doing in Tokyo?

Why was she wearing his school�s uniform?

Although he still had some difficult questions to answer, he took care of the first question that came to mind. �Why are you dressed like that?�

Siesta answered Saito's question with a confused look.

�Because Saito-san and I go to the same school, isn�t it normal I wear the same uniform?�

Oh, it was so. Saito nodded in understanding. The way she said it seemed to be correct, but right now Saito�s head was a little fuzzy, so he couldn�t really pinpoint what was wrong.

Siesta ran by, grabbing onto Saito�s arm.

�Wait, wait, wait, wait��

Siesta�s face turned red, unable to finish her sentence.

�I have been waiting for you for a while� I want to go to school together� so��

�Oh, is that so? Ok, let�s go together.�

Forget it, she is so cute. Going together shouldn�t be a problem.�Saito dismissed the question that came floating into his head.

�Great!� Siesta said smiling and took a step forward. The spring wind flew against her body.

�Oh!� The strong wind lifted her short skirt.

The skirt revealed snow-white flesh, causing Saito to pinch his nose in reflex.

�Why, Siesta, why are you not wearing any underwear?�

Siesta using her hands to hold down her skirt, shamefully replied,

�Because, because I am not one of those noble-born girls, who own those flowery panties��

�Japan doesn�t have any nobility!�

�That is true��

That is a really strange answer,�Saito thought, feeling the incompatibility.

Everything seemed to make sense, yet it felt as though nothing did�

Just as the two stood there dumbfounded�

Saito was sent flying by a force slamming into him from behind and instantly collapsed on the ground.

The person who knocked him down was a pink-haired girl. She had a piece of toast in her mouth and complained at the same time,

�Late, late, I am late!�

The young girl continued to complain then turned around, stomping Saito several more times with her foot.

�You! You!�

Saito desperately tried to get up.

�Ah, late, really late!!�

The young girl swang her foot again, this time aiming for Saito�s face; Saito collapsed again with a yelp.

�Miss Valli�re!�

Siesta yelled.

�Ah� late, I said we are late!�

The girl named Valli�re continued to scream �late�, yet at the same time danced on Saito�s fallen body.

Saito lying on the ground, shouted loudly, �If you know you are late, then stop dancing on my body!�

With that shout, the tiny pink-haired girl stopped. With her arms around her chest, she stared at Saito and asked,

�Where were you staring? Your face is red!� There was a sense of unease in her voice as she asked.

This young lady wore the same style of uniform as Siesta�s - Saito�s school uniform. But the way she wore it was different. She kept her tux�s buttons left open, and kept the tie loose, which made her appear to be very loose herself. But that pink hair and those tea-colored eyes were indeed Louise.

�Why are you wearing your clothes like that?�

But Louise didn�t even seem to notice Saito�s question.

�Where were you looking? Speak!�

�It has nothing to do with you!� Just as Saito finished, he was rewarded with Louise�s foot in his face.

�Of course it has to do with me! You are my familiar, so no matter what happens you are only allowed to look at me! If you look at other people, I will teach you a lesson!�

Louise angrily stared at Siesta.

�So, so, so when you go stare at the big-breasted maid, it means serious punishment! Do you understand?�

�What are you joking about?� Saito yelled. He jumped up and grabbed Louise�s shoulder.

�Eh�� Louise yelped sharply as she collapsed on the ground, and Saito landed on top of her, his eyes transfixed on her face.

�You, what are you doing? �You, you plan to attack your master?�

�Correct.�

�Don�t you dare doing anything! I am a noble, you are a commoner!�

�Noble princesses wouldn�t dress like this!�

Yelled Saito pointing at Louise�s loose socks.

�What, what�s the matter? What I wear is my own business! You are only a familiar, mind your own business!�

�What familiar? What nobility? What Master? It is not same here! Because we are in Japan!�

�Don�t talk nonsense!� Louise yelled raging. Saito restrained the raging Louise and looked into her burning eyes.

�You� wanted this to happen, right?�

Though words came from his mouth, they did not seem to be his. Even though he talked� it felt as if he was watching a movie about other characters.

��Eh?�

�You wanted to be pushed down by me, didn�t you? That�s why you wore that black cat costume. For me to push you down. Right? Speak up. Heeey, speak up!�

These words have been said some time ago, Saito thought strangely calmly, while shouting.

Then the girl's cheeks turned pink, like the color of her hair. She turned her head and looked the other way.

�D-don�t be s-silly. Who wanted to be pushed down? S-stop joking, let me go in this instant or I�ll kick you.�

�Then kick.�

Hearing such strong words, Louise bit her lip.

�D-don�t anger me�.� She said in a feeble voice.

�Well then, itadakimasu.� He nodded seriously and started unfasten the shirt at her knolls.�I did this before, he thought. Then his head was hit with the frying-pan by Siesta who stood behind.

�Auch!�

�This is the middle of the road. It�s embarrassing, please stop.�

�Frying-pan, where��

�I carry it to cook.�

�Butt out!� Louise screamed rudely at Siesta. Siesta turned to Louise.

�Why are you so mad, even though I helped you? Then all these words about �anger� must be a lie. It�s not your real intention. You wanted to be pushed down after all.�

�L-lies! Maids should be silent and do the laundry!�

�I would do the laundry if you would lend me the washboard.�

�Haah? I don�t have a washboard!�

�Not true. You have a splendid one over there.�

She pointed at Louise�s chest. Louise let out a penetrating scream.

�Keeeeeeeeeeee!�

�Wash with plain chest♪ With bubbles wash♪ Scrub scrub scrub♪�

Louise jumped at Siesta's singing.

�Whaaat! Big breasts are all that you have, maid! Flirting with men is all that you think about! Not even wearing underwear!�

�Aren�t you the same! You always think about how to get laid! Wearing next to nothing! Ridiculous noble! Always eagerly awaiting with shiny eyes to be pushed down by Saito-san! Don�t you have any shame?!�

�What! Undeveloped! Stupid maid!� The quarrel turned into a cat fight between the two. Skirts fluttering, claws spread, gripping each others hair, they were rolling on the ground like two raging chickens.

�S-stop�� Saito muttered, though the pair were not listening at all.

Then... A black limousine drove up.

The door at the driver's side opened and Mazarin, dressed up in white gloves and a black suit, stepped out. When Mazarin opened the door at the back seat, he bowed reverently.

Henrietta appeared, in a white dress. She wore a brimless hat decorated with flowers. Her dress was befitting more of a young lass than princess. She held an elegant handbag at her side.

Henrietta ran up to Saito and offered her hand.

�You stopped an army of 70,000.�

�Yes.� Saito replied boldly.

�You were truly unstoppable. Aaah, you are a savior of Tristain. Though this useless queen cannot do anything, I can�t leave such loyalty unrewarded. Well, kiss this hand.�

Saito took the hand and pressed it to his lips, next, Henrietta wrapped her arms around Saito�s neck.

�P-Princess?�

�Call me Ann. Next, on the lips, for compassion.�

Flustered Henrietta embraced Saito's head closely and puckered up her lips.

Not good, Saito thought and in an instant heard growls.

�What are you doing to the Princess?!�

�Always nobles! You always prefer them! It�s impossible for a village girl to be noticed!�

Saito, knowing very well what it meant to become Louise�s and Siesta�s target, quickly shook off Henrietta�s arms and ran away.

�Wait! Let�s continue the evening from the cheap hotel!�

Henrietta shouted.

�Continue what from the cheap hotel?! What?!�

�What did you do in there! Surely you wore weird clothes again!�

Siesta and Louise ran after him shouting.

While he was trying to escape, an American bike appeared out of the corner. Scarron and Jessica were sitting on it, all dressed up in tight leather clothes.

Saito leaped over the pair�s motorcycle and fell.

Jessica jumped out of the bike's sidecar and looked down at the sprawled Saito.

�Stop being useless. Quickly, help me to sell this oil.�

�Y-you��

�Huh? Not energetic? Then how about this to motivate you?�

She threw him a mischievous glance and through the crevice of her leather jacket led Saito�s hand into the valley of her well-developed bosom.

Now he was in a trouble.

�W-wait a second!�

�Wait for what?� Jessica said in an amorous voice that tickles man�s heart, and watched him through sparkling eyes.

�You're a girl right? So don�t act like this��

But Jessica�s eyes made Saito hold his breath�

�That brunette again!�

�My cousin! What the?!�

Saito left Jessica and began to run again. He escaped to Main Street, and while elbowing his way through the crowd, he knocked against someone.

�S-sorry.�

He knocked against a woman with long pink hair. She wore a thin purple cardigan and was holding a leash to which many dogs were connected.

Bark. Bark bark. Bark bark bark.

The dogs drew closer to Saito.

�Dog! Many dogs! Good doggies! Uwaa! Waawaa!�

�Huh, they seem to like you a lot.�

He knew that woman by sight. She was part of Louise�s family.

The gentle aura around this woman with long pink hair.

She pressed her hand to her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle. This woman was Cattleya, Louise�s elder sister. Cattleya�s dogs nuzzled against Saito.

�Ah! Hey! Stop! Stop it!�

Sniff sniff, bark bark, sniff sniff, bark bark.

�Whaaa! Now between dogs! Don�t you match well! Adorable! What! What are you doing to my big sister!�

Louise ran up shouting.

�Even with dogs! I can�t allow it!�

Siesta shouted.

Both had a terrible look on their faces. If he was caught by those two, his life would be in danger. But because of the leaning dogs he could not do anything.

�You perverted dog!�

The moment when Louise shouted, jumping at him� Saito was lifted in the air.

�F-flying?�

Saito looked up, and found himself caught by a wind dragon. Sitting on the drake was a blue-haired girl. They turned out to be Tabitha and her familiar, which was carrying Saito on its back.

For some reason, Tabitha was wearing an airplane stewardess outfit. A young girl like Tabitha wearing a stewardess dress, appears very, very strange. Like a gag in a story.

Even though Tabitha was dressed like this she still remained focused on her book.

�What, what the� Oh, it is you� never mind, thank you for saving me.�

Saito expressed his gratitude, feeling massive relief.

But Tabitha remained the same as a ever, without making a sound.

Saito remained silent for a moment too, but everything became even more awkward, so he decided to find a topic to chat about, and finally saw Tabitha�s book.

�You know I always wondered� what kind of books are you always reading?�

Tabitha refused to answer.

Without any other method, Saito decided to go behind her and peek at the book. When he saw the title, he could not stop laughing: �Ah? Romance Technique - How to make boys like you� you� it is this kind of book?? Ahahahaha! You interested in this kind of stuff?�

Tabitha, without replying, continued to leaf through the book. Her eyes did not reveal a sliver of emotion, so it was impossible to tell if she was mad or embarrassed.

�That kind of thing, no matter how many books you read, is useless. First you have to learn how to talk to a boy. Because the purpose of your heart is important.� Saito appeared to be very knowledgeable about the matter and added: �No matter what, a person like you who never talks, is in an impossible situation.�

Saito lightly patted Tabitha�s head, and Tabitha just nodded her head toward his hand.

�Right, use me as an model, let�s practice talking.�

The blue-haired girl silently stared at Saito�s face. No matter how hard he tried, nothing was coming out of Tabitha�s mouth.

�Hey, what are you planning? If it's like this you will never find a boyfriend! Come, come on! You should know more words than spells, come on! Say something!�

He remained half joking, shaking the little girl�s head left and right. In that moment, Tabitha stood up.

�I know it.�

�Oh?�

Tabitha remained expressionless, but like a machine-gun she spat out a string of words:

�Can�t find a boyfriend? Mind your own business! Stuck between the maid and the boob-less mage, you have no right to talk about me. Someone like you, all you need to see is the princess, the village girl or elder sister with big breasts and you instantly have that �look�, really a mess. Then you will say �no no, I can�t do this kind of thing, because I am from another world, so I cannot support your feelings.� But while you talk, your body doesn�t react the same way.�

�You, You,� Saito�s head became red as a tomato.

�A person like you would seriously annoy them both, you make them want to come after you with violence.�

Saito looked at Tabitha�s height and replied, �You, you little kid, don�t talk so spirited like that.�

The girl�s was a head shorter than Louise, but Tabitha�s expression remained unchanged, and added, �Who is a kid? You are the real kid! A brainless person like you who tries to step into two ships with one foot, you are ten years too early!�

�Gya!�

Saito suddenly curled into a ball aboard the wind dragon. He had apparently been kicked in the groin by Tabitha. Then Tabitha followed it with a straight kick to Saito�s face.

�I should keep you as a pet.�

�Stop joking!�

�What are you talking about? Aren't you very happy? You like it, don't you? When a loli dominates you. It is written all over your face!�

�You, you!�

Saito sprang to his feet, grabbing Tabitha�s shoulder. Then the two�s gaze met. In this moment, Tabitha�s cheeks turned red and she turned her face away. Her change made Saito�s heart leap.

�How did you manage to show emotion like that?�

But Tabitha�s next attack knocked Saito beyond belief:

�Please��

�Please?�

�Please be gentle with me.�

Please, please be gentle?! You, you,�Saito looked like an air-less goldfish with his mouth opening and closing.

The next offensive completely ripped his command center open.

�Ki, Ki��

�Ki?�

�Kissing, teach me.�

What is she talking about?�Saito was completely unable to understand.

But, it was really cute.

Because she was always expressionless, such an attack surprised Saito. Yet it wasn�t an unpleasant surprise. It was a so-called pleasant surprise. The surprise, joy, and the excitement somehow almost made Saito faint. No, it wasn�t �somehow�.

On closer inspection, Tabitha had beautiful snow-white skin. Her blue eyes were like sapphires. Those blue lakes, still young, were very charming and made Saito�s heart throb. Like Louise, she had those noble, elegant features� Though he did not notice before because he thought her to be too young, she was definitely beautiful�

What the heck I am thinking about - she�s still a child,�he thought shaking his head.

�F-foolishness, your father would be angry at me if he caught me kissing you!�

Not flinching, Tabitha pushed her lips out.

�Onii-chan��

Foul play! On a wind dragon, writhing in big conflict, Saito heard roaring from behind. When he turned around, he saw the Zero Fighter flying.

�Wha-!�

Within the cockpit he could see Louise�s and Siesta�s faces.

�How do you know how to fly it?!� He yelled.

�I learned it from my grandfather!� Siesta shouted.

He wondered how he could hear her voice through loudly roaring engine, and soon, undoubtedly, he heard Louise�s angry voice.

�Now you are going after a child who is even smaller than me! You love anyone - big or small! Either way will do! You are the worst!�

Don! Don! DoDo! The Zero Fighter's wings trembled.

How can they shoot twenty-millimeter bullets when they're supposed to be out of ammo?

He thought, when a jar of wine flew at him.

�Have a drink!� came Siesta�s drunken voice.

She was drunk while piloting the airplane. Saito was terrified.

�No, fly the plane.�

He muttered, before getting hit by a jar. It hurt!

Saito shouted impatiently.

�Tabitha, evade! Speed the wind dragon up to run away from the Zero Fighter!�

�Tabitha? I am Kirche, Darling.�

Somehow Tabitha turned into Kirche. Moreover, only a few seashells were covering her most important body parts.

�Aah! Quickly, get away from me! We will get killed! Flying too fast!�

�It can�t fly.�

�Isn�t this a wind dragon?!�

�Nope, my salamander, Flame-chan.�

Unnoticed by Saito, it was indeed Kirche�s salamander Flame.

�Whaat?!!�

The salamander went down like a rock. Saito tried to grab Derflinger.�Using my Gand�lfr's power, I�ll jump onto the Zero Fighter and save myself!

�Awa! Why doesn't my body feel lighter?!�

Looking at his left hand, he saw the runes disappear.

�Wa! Uwa! Waah!�

He steadily approached the ground.

�Falling! Falling! N? What�s this?!�

He saw something.

Light.

��it shines. Gold?�

On the moment of the crash, dazzled, Saito was wrapped up by the golden light.

The first thought that crossed Saito�s mind after seeing the girl was�　

Golden light.

During the dream before, he had seen the golden light at the end.

That light became reality, blinding Saito�s eyes.

He hastily squinted. Once he got used to it, he saw that she wasn't really shining. However, the girl's presence was so strong it felt like an illusory light.

The girl who showed up was beautiful. No, the word beautiful was too trite, she had a divine, pretty face. When she moved, one wanted to kneel down and worship her.

�Hada, wada, howada� For the time being Saito had trouble finding any words.

�What's wrong?� The girl was obviously confused enough to need to ask the question.

�No-that-nothing-this.�

The girl looked hesitant for a moment. Then, after deciding something, took a deep breath and approached Saito. She wore a green, crude, short, one-piece dress, but rather than damaging her beauty it complimented her nicely. Slender lovely legs ran down her short skirt with white sandals framing her pretty feet.

That simple attire accentuate her beauty and created a friendly atmosphere.

Upon nearing Saito the girl laughed forcibly. She obviously tried hard to make him comfortable. And her accompanying smile didn't radiated beauty but kindness.

�Thank goodness. Because you slept for two weeks� I was worried that you might not awaken.�

�Did I sleep for that long?� Although he was surprised that he slept for two weeks, the girl�s beauty was even more shocking.

It looked as if she was covered with light since her long golden hair on all sides of her like a waving golden sea reflecting sunshine rays falling from the window, and the light dancing on her face.

It was like a computer animation showing the face with a perfect outline and silhouette. Beautiful but it made one nervous at the same time. Such a beautiful person without any noticeable flaws.

And pointed ears peeped through crevices of her golden hair.

Ears like that are quite unusual,�he thought while trying to move, eliciting an incomparably acute pain through his side. Until now he had never felt such debilitating pain. But that pain made him feel �alive�.�I am not dead, I feel alive,�thought Saito while trembling.

Relief filled Saito the same way wilted flowers absorbed water. He was safe for now and was he swept with a torrent of emotions.

�I see� I'm alive��

Gradually he was moved to tears.�I am alive,. With a thought like that, even the aching wounds on his body felt near and dear.

Teary-eyed Saito muttered. �Ah, if it hurts it means I am alive.�

Seeing that�

�W-well� are the bandages too tight?� Blinking her clear, big, green eyes, the girl reached for Saito.

After confirming his well being, the girl's beauty felt more real and made Saito�s heart tremble.

Aaah, the touch of such a beautiful person felt like a his desire hitting him in the gut.

Saito immediately retracted. He felt like a simpleton .

The girl opened her eyes wide as she noticed that an ear was peeping from the crevice of her hair and hurriedly covered it with both hands. In an instant her cheeks were flushed pink.

�S-sorry.�

�Eh?�

�But don�t worry. I won�t do any harm.�

Saito stared blankly at her. It seemed that Saito�s retreat was mistaken for fright. An unexpected misunderstanding. Saito lost his nerve only because of her beauty, not because of fright.

�No no! That, I am not afraid. But because of your b-b-bb��

�Bb?�

�Beauty, well��

Saying that Saito colored up. He was not used to saying �You are beautiful� to a girl.

She made a surprised face.

�Beauty?�

�Y-yes.�

�You think so even after you saw my ears?� She removed her hands from her ears.

�Yes.�

Suspicious, Saito nodded. Certainly, pointed ears were unusual. However, in Halkeginia with its orcs, dragons, water spirits, there lived many strange beings. At this point, pointed ears did not surprise him as much.�Well, I guess there are people who would not think so.

��really, you are not shocked? Not scared?� She watched Saito with a doubtful face.

�Really, I am not shocked nor scared. Why would I be afraid? Why do you need to ask? Besides, there are a lot more scary things. Like dragons and trolls.�

The girl was relieved, �It�s unusual for a human to not be afraid of an elf.�

�Elf?�

Saito had heard the name. He delved to the bottom of his memory and recalled it. Well it was certainly mentioned in some talks. This was the name of those who live in the �east�. According to the rumors they were vicious, and live on bad terms with humans in a holy land.

He did think them to be terrible, but the girl in front of him was far from that.

�Yes, elf. And I am �mixed� one at that�� This the girl muttered with a touch of self-hatred. Thereupon, a shadow covered her porcelain features and melancholy took over her face.

Confused for a moment� Saito had second thoughts.

Hey Saito, it's not time to appreciate the pretty girl.

Isn't there anything else for you to worry about?

How did I survive?

What happened to the war?

Louise?

Siesta?

Everyone?

However, there was something else to do before that. He�d ask later.

Saito said while pointing at the bandages around his body,�Did you help me?�

�Yes,� the girl nodded.

�I see� Thank you. Honestly, thank you.� Saito thanked her many times. Even so, it wasn't enough to express his gratitude.

The girl smiled shyly.

Somehow, she seemed to be embarrassed and dodged Saito�s words. Despite her beauty, she seemed to lose her composure easily.

Though this girl's behavior was naturally cute, Saito endured. Now wasn�t the time to get love-struck. There were a lot of things that he wanted to hear first.

But... something was amiss.

Wasn�t it a little strange?

She helped me?

Hey hey, wasn�t he battling against an army of 70,000?

From the look of it, the girl wore village clothes. So how was she able to help him in the middle of the large army?

Gradually, suspicion built in Saito�s mind.

Then, her beauty, and the atmosphere surrounding her�

What if this elf woman was an enemy?

She tried to make me feel relieved to draw out some information�

When you think about it, this beautiful girl in front of me could really be an enemy�s trap. In movies and anime, the spies were usually beautiful women.

Moreover, after coming to this world and meeting Louise, Saito realized one the truth.

What looks cute may not be so from the inside.

Such was the truth. And from the evidence that his body obtained � it was unshakable truth.

With such a truth, he became more suspicious of the girl.

�Fufufu��

�What's wrong?�

Saito, cleared his throat, and asked in an calm voice.

�I really want to express my gratitude for helping me, however, there�s one thing I want to know.�

�Please.�

�Where did you find me?�

�You were lying in the forest so I brought you here.�

Lying in the forest?

Didn�t I fall, surrounded by a large army?

What forest?

Saito narrowed his eyes and watched the girl suspiciously.

Due to this, the atmosphere started to feel awkward�

�W-well, I�ll bring you food.�

Saying that, the girl tried to leave. Saito gripped her arm.

�Where have you put my sword?�

�Aah, that sword is yours? I do not know but he was making noise. I thought that it was better to not wake you up, so I placed him in the room on the other side�.

Saito puckered up his eyebrows. He recalled words from an old detective drama. The beauty of a rose has thorns. And in the end, the beautiful woman was a criminal.Damn,�and said aloud,

�There must be a reason for Derf to be so loud.�

�Even if you say that, there must be a reason��

She said in an embarrassed voice. Then, seeing Saito clasping her hand, the girl shamefully bit her lip.

�W-well� please, that, hand��

The girl struggled to shake off Saito's hand. However, Saito didn't let go. Frowning in pain, he drew the girl's slender form to himself. The blush on girl's cheeks increased even more.

�Umm� let go� please.�

�Tell me the truth.�

But Saito was completely lost in the role of the great detective hunting down a criminal. A very bothering character. Even an encounter with death could not fix such a painful personality.

�You are from the Albion army. Say it, A-L-B-I-O-N.�

�N-no. I am not related to Albion nor to an army.�

With frightened face, girl shook her head. However, Saito�s detective feelings sense was completely convinced that she was part of the Albion army.

�Then how I was 'lying in the forest'? I lost consciousness in the middle of an enemy army! So there!�

�I-I do not know how��

�Spit it out!�

�Ah..�

Saito pulled on the girl making her lose the balance. Then she fell down on Saito�s thigh.

�Spit it out! S-eh?�

In an instant, Saito's face became pale.

Something big and soft crashed against his thigh.

Detective doubts about the girl where blown from his head in an instant, and now other doubt swelled up in his mind.

�Hey�, Saito asked.

What object crashed against my thigh just now?

�Breasts?

It should be breasts.

However� it cannot be breasts. Surely, there cannot be such breast size. So, it isn�t.

Yet what would be normal breasts like?�Saito imagined cooking. Big, soft bread. Stuffed animal. And yes - rounded square cushion.

Then what.

Still, even if it was breasts, there were physical laws that breasts could not disregard.

By accident he caught her profile with his eyes. She was crimson. From shame and tension she seemed to not to be able to talk any more. Because Saito�s grip on her arm she could not stand up. Still, bravely, the girl struggled trying to stand up.

Something hard stuck in Saito�s throat.

T-this especially. I, aah, I�

These soft, heavy objects on his thigh changed shape while moving.

Saito, with his mouth agape, watched the girl. Felt like his heart valves were breaking, almost making blood spout from his nose. His heart was beating like a drum, and the enthusiasm of life was coming back to Saito.

As he watched the pointed ear which peeped from the crevice of her thin golden hair� three letters sparked in Saito�s head

T. B. R.

Or in other words�

The Bust Revolution.

Indeed� this was a revolutionary breast size.

When compared to the body lines, the size looked even bigger. This elf girl�s body was slender. He could see that when her body fell. Her ankles and arms were thin. Waist, neck � all were thin�only her breasts were different. Her breasts caused the revolt within this body.

If there was a law concerning breast size, this would earn a life sentence. No, the death penalty. At least if Louise were a judge, it would be the death penalty.

Aaah, because she wore voluminous clothes he had not realized. Aaah, because of her delicate arms, his mind had unconsciously applied that to the whole body. Aah aaah, for me, such a large breast size was all honesty.

�Ah, ya�ha, n.�

The girl let out sounds while struggling. This rascal, though her whole body is slender, why are the breasts so strange? Could it be that her breasts gathered all her nourishment, could it?�I learned one day in science class about Mendelian inheritance... this miracle could be explained by the laws of dominant inheritance...

His brains boiled, while thinking.

�Big sister is telling the truth!�

�Don�t do anything to Tiffa nee-chan!�

�Stop doing weird things to big sister!�

Children suddenly rushed into Saito�s room. Seems like the children were watching them from the open door.

�Remove your hands from Tiffania onee-chan!�

Tiffania � seemed to be the name of this beautiful elf girl. Children started hitting Saito, who was grasping her arm.

�Eh! No! This! Different! Children, it�s different!�

Though Saito tried to make excuses� the children's power was too strong, even though these kids a little while ago were frightened by the weird stranger.

With potential of huge breasts that cannot be expressed in a single phrase, this delicate elf girl, seemed to be the children's treasure.

�You don't understand! This person�s breasts are too strange! Therefore I was surprised! It�s different! I was just surprised, that�s why I attacked!�

�Not different! It looked strange no matter what!�

It was justifiable.

�Ruffian! Be gone!�

�Wait! I�m not bad! That! Gyaa!�

�Eat this!� the girl with short blond hair hit his head severely with the frying-pan.�Come to think of it, I was hit with the frying-pan in the dream as well,�came the trivial thought, before Saito started a journey to the unconscious world again.

One week before the day Saito woke up�

One wind dragon landed on the courtyard of the Tristain Academy of Magic.

All the students, who were chatting in the courtyard, turned around.

Upon seeing the boy on the dragon�s back, a sigh escaped from the schoolgirls� chests.

�Look! What beautiful hair!�

�Look there!�

On seeing the boy�s eyes, the schoolgirls became frightened in an instant. The colors of the right and left eyes were different.

��Moon eyes�.�

One girl muttered.

Eyes with different right and left colors were called �Moon eyes�, following the two moons of Tristain. In the provinces, where the superstitions are strong, it is believed that such person is evil and is despised by everyone.

However� they still absent-mindedly watched the beautiful boy get off the dragon.

�Hyaa� is he a noble from some country? He�s like a fairy!�

Priest of Romalia - Julio Cesar.

The schoolgirls rambled on � �Kyaa Kyaa�.

Julio, ignoring the commotion, jumped down to the ground from his wind dragon�s back�.

Thump.

He hit the ground with his head.

Schoolgirls, dumbfounded, looked at each other, and ran up to Julio.

�Are you� all right?�

Julio laughed with a smile, while laying on the ground. What a charming smile � all schoolgirls were swayed in an instant.

�The soil is on your face� P-please use this�� one girl gave a handkerchief to Julio, making the other girls stir as well.

�H-here use mine!�

�My handkerchief has a nice smell to it!�

�I�m alright.�

�Haah! The soil doesn�t suit your elegant features!�

�It�s good. Just about.�

�But��

�I still haven�t washed my face after the war. That�s why it�s dirty.�

Julio waved off.

�For three weeks? Seriously!�

�Do you really hate washing your face that much?�

Laughter echoed.

�That�s not it. I just cannot make a lady's handkerchief dirty.�

He stood up and bowed.

�Nooo! Stop joking!�

Girls shouted joyfully.

The boys sourly watched the schoolgirls swoon. One schoolboy, with a challenging smile, approached Julio.

One girl shouted.

�Pelisson-sama!�

Third-year Pelisson was a ladykiller of the Tristain Academy of Magic. Though he had a pretty face like an ancient sculpture, he lacked charm. He was jealous when a popular person showed up suddenly, and could not stomach it.

Pelisson crossed his arms and glared at Julio and noticed a Holy Saget on his chest.

Fuun, he gave a goofy smile.

�Priest, did you come to plead for offerings?�

Without loosing his cool, Julio answered.

�I came here to meet a friend.�

�This is a noble studying building. Go preach to the streets.�

�I don�t remember asking for your opinion.�

Pelisson�s brow slightly paled. Once understanding that Julio didn�t have a wand, he pulled out a long, thin wand. It was a brand-new one, one that young knight�s receive when joining the army.

�Judging from your words a little while ago, you seem to also have participated in the Albion campaign, Priest.�

�Aa.�

�I am a report officer from the Navarre unit. You?�

�Various jobs.�

Julio said, waving it off.

�It must have been taking care of your dragon. Like your follower. Yes.�

�For priests, any work suits.�

Pellison hit Julio�s head with his wand.

�By beating my head, you are insulting God and Founder Brimir, Officer-san.�

�I am not insulting God. I�m just teaching a cocky priest, who started acting like a noble, some manners. I�ll show you an insult.�

�So you are a noble? Then why you are so jealous about someone who is outside the noble�s circle?�

Pelisson's face reddened. Schoolgirls, who gathered around, became frightened.

�Then cast your spell!�

He shouted while uttering a spell�

The wind dragon, that was sitting behind Julio, sprang to his feet and jumped at Pelisson. And in one second, Pelisson, unable to resist, was pinned down by the large wind dragon.

�H-hey! It�s unfair! Don�t use a dragon! Guah!�

Pelisson, whose back was trampled down by the large wind dragon, fainted in agony.

�Since I cannot use magic, I use dragons instead.�

Hearing such commotion, teacher Chevreuse ran up in short steps.

�What�s this! What�s this! I think the war is already over, so stop fighting in the courtyard now! I�m serious!�

Chevreuse's eyes widened upon noticing Julio, who stood up.　

�Ara ara, aren�t you an outsider? Whose permission do you have to enter? Not to mention, bringing such a dragon too!�

Taking the hand of rattling Chevreuse, Julio bowed gracefully.

��Eh?�

After taking her hand, he looked into Chevreuse's face. Such a handsome face made Chevreuse blush despite her age.

�I am sorry. However, I only came here to meet a friend��

�A-ara, is that so? Who?

�Yes, Miss Valli�re. I want to get permission from your beautiful self, to see her today.�

�Beautiful? What?�

�Yes. In my mother country, Romalia, there is an ancient painting of a holy woman. When you appeared, I mistook you for that holy woman in the painting.�

�Oh dear! Holy woman! That!�

Chevreuse shouted in a frolicking voice.

�May I enter the school?�

�This holy woman cannot possibly refuse priest-sama! P-please take this!�

Chevreuse smoothly wrote down on paper the entrance permission, and with a dreamy face, handed it to Julio.

�Thank you. Ah, if I may, can I ask you to take care of the dragon?�

�Y-yes! Please go!�

Chevreuse stood upright and gave an emphatic salute.

�Azuro! I�m going then.�

Barking, the wind dragon Azuro, nodded to his master.

Schoolgirls stared coldly at Chevreuse, who absent-mindedly watched the back of the leaving Julio.

�W-what are you looking at?!�

�Nothing� A teacher is still a woman, indeed.�

�D-don�t make fun of your teacher! Y-you! Stop sleeping forever on the ground! Quickly, remove yourself from the foot of priest-sama�s wind dragon!�

Blushing, Chevreuse shouted at Pelisson who was groaning from being stepped upon by the wind dragon.

After that, ten days passed.

After Tiffania�s ring's intensive healing magic treatment, Saito�s fatal wounds, after two weeks of sleeping and three weeks all together, were almost completely healed�

Yet he was not heading back.

Leaning upon his elbows, Saito let out a lonely sigh.

�Haaah.�

What a painful thing to hear, those sighs.

Saito was sitting on the firewood pile behind Tiffania�s house. Tiffania�s house was made from logs and some mortar.

Around it, sun-lit, beautiful trees grew.

Here, next to Saxe-Gotha, Westwood Village was located. The village was near the highway connecting Saxe-Gotha and the port city of Rosais.

Based on Tiffania�s words, the hill where Saito held off the Albion army was not too far away either.

Indeed, it was a tiny, forgotten village. Even if you looked at it, through the small cracks within the forest, you could see the ten small houses only if you were right next to it.

Derflinger, who was leaning against the woodpile, said in a calm voice.

�Weeell, seems like Albion�s army missed the Allied Forces in Rosais. Because you bought some time, the allies were able to retreat successfully. Partner, your life-threatening clash with the enemy was not in vain.�

They learned this from a merchant that came to peddle in the village the other day.

He himself had seen that merchant who came to sell cloth and chatted about the reverse defeat of the Holy Republic of Albion's army. He said - �We�ll survive through this and it will be a little bit easier,� with a happy face. Albion�s nobles were not popular among the country people.

�Besides, the war ended as well. Goes without saying.�

They also learned that Gallia suddenly entered the war, forcing the Albion army to surrender.

�Even if we escaped, we won anyway.�

However, Saito still looked gloomy.

��so it is.�

Louise and others should have been able to escape safely as well. Yet, even though he should be joyous�

He kept on staring absent-minded at his left hand, and muttered:

�Blank, is it?�

So, the runes that disappeared did not come back.

Apparently, the contract was completely broken.

�I, I am not even a Gand�lfr anymore.�

�Hmm. No, I was thinking, why would a familiar contract completely wear off��

�What, why?�

�For one moment, your heart stopped. So partner, the familiar's runes died as well. Magical spell-based objects can make assumptions too. Like flies escape the door that seems to be dead � the runes may have left as well.�

�I see.�

Trying to comfort the glum Saito, Derflinger said,

�Hey hey, isn�t it good? This way you won�t have to deal with that fussy noble girl�s complaints. You will be counted as dead in her eyes.�

�Indeed, yet still��

Bitterly, he was not able to give up. Saito looked up at Derflinger and asked.

�...Can Louise make a contract again?�

�What?�

�Indeed. You heard me.�

�Sort of like double using.�

�Yes.�

�First of all, 'Summon Servant' is not only about passing. It all depends if that noble girl will open the gate in front of you or not.�

���

�In fact, it is still unknown why a person is chosen to be a familiar. Based on the four element system, only a beast or a spirit that represents the element of the user can pass the gates� Anyhow, that girl�s element is Void. According to what principle the familiar is chosen, I don�t know. Yet��

�Yet?�

�This is so called �fate�.�

�Hmm, if I and Louise are related by �fate� then could the gate open again?�

�I don�t know. But, it was fated to bid farewell here. That�s one of the problems.�

�Hmm� well, and secondly?�

�Servant Contract.�

Saito recalled how he was summoned to this world and kissed by Louise. If you think about it - everything started from that.

�Aah, that kiss.�

�That is right. �Summons� and �Contract�. It�s because of the combination of these two, one becomes a familiar for the first time.�

�So it is not just a kiss?�

�It seems it was the �type�. Actually, the runes were carved into your body after that right?�

Saito remembered the sensation of burning pain.

��so that�s everything left to do.�

�I would not recommend it.�

Derflinger muttered.

�Why?�

�Weeell, that, whether it is or not, if a familiar dies, the mage can summon another familiar� It�s different for familiars. For familiars, the �contract� is a lifelong one. For familiars that live after the contract breaks, it becomes unpalatable.�

�Hmm hmm��

�So, to put it this way, for a familiar to break a contract with the mage twice, one can only guess what would happen to the body��

Derflinger said in an inarticulate voice.

���

�So, it�s bad I say. After getting life back with much trouble and putting it back under risk again� And, if the contract fails, Partner would not only embarrass himself. That girl also, would not want to see such a thing. It would be depressing.�

�It is so.

I'm not the only one who is in danger. It's possible that Louise would be jeopardized as well.

Still, Saito was not able to give it up.

It feels like a hole in my heart. The bond that Louise and I had, is broken. It�s like my body is split in two, painfully.

�Therefore, don�t look so gloomy. This way you can travel to the east without holding back. We'll go together.�

�I am not a Gand�lfr anymore, would it still be alright?�

�It�s good. For six thousand years, I've been alive. For me, partner�s time feels like one second.�

Saito sighed and said.

�But what about Louise?�

�Oh dear. That girl is very prideful, it will be all right.�

In a not careworn voice, Derflinger said. Saito nodded in a persuaded way.

�Yeah. There is no purpose for her to admit me� I, who can�t use magic and am just a simple human, am a nuisance��

Feeling depressed, he heard the voice from the back.

�Umm��

When he turned around, Tiffania was standing there with an embarrassed face.

�N?�

�Firewood��

Seems like Saito was asked to collect the firewood that he sat on.

She was wearing a large hat to hide her pointed ears.

�Ah, sorry.�

Saito stood up. Tiffania, avoiding Saito�s eyes, looked down and reached for the firewood.�I have been careless,�he thought.�What if they learn that I am from a different world? I guess one cannot keep a secret who and from where he is forever. Even though she rescued me... and went through the trouble to look after me when I was recovering.

�Sorry. I am greatly indebted to you. I... it�s time for me to leave. So don�t worry. Yeah, because the war is over, a kind of awkward guy like me is not needed in the village.�

Tiffania opened her eyes wide.

�Ah, it�s different! Different! It is not so! I� umm, because you are a boy of the same age as me, I could not speak properly� I was slightly tensed� But it is not because I am afraid. So, until the wound heals properly, you should stay here awhile. I am the one who should be sorry.�

Hesitantly, Tiffania bowed embarrassed.

Seeing this girl, Saito brightened up for a moment. Besides, he was impressed. She was extremely shy toward strangers. Yet, she helped him despite herself.

�I see, you are not only cute, but gentle too.�

�I-I�m not cute!�

�You are cute. And I think you are gentle too.�

When Saito said so, Tiffania pulled the hat further down. She was feeling shy.

�I may be kind� But because of my mother's words.�

�Mother?�

Saito asked. The word had a nostalgic sound to it.

�Yes. My� dead elf-mother. She said giving the ring to me. �Help when you find a person in need.� My mother was like that. Without reflecting in it myself, I carried out the words of the person that I loved. Therefore, I��

Derflinger nosed in.

�Somehow, I think that there were complicated circumstances to it.�

Tiffania looked down.

�This Westwood Village. If you look at it, only children are here.�

�That�s right.� Saito nodded. Though his head was full with thoughts about the runes disappearing up till now... He never saw an adult here.

�This village is an orphanage. Children who lost their parents live here.�

�Do you look after them?�

�Because I am the oldest, I take care of things, as for food however��

�You don�t have money?� Derflinger asked.

�An old acquaintance sends the money. It�s enough to cover our basic needs,�

Tiffania said hesitatingly.

�What is a half-elf, with the �Ancient Magic� ring, doing in a orphan�s village?

�Derf!�

Saito warned Derflinger.

�It is alright if you do not want to tell us the circumstances behind the ring. But is there something you can say?�

Tiffania became silent.

�Sorry, we shouldn�t force you to speak about something you don�t want to speak about. Derf, act properly. That�s this sword's habit, to pry about things��

When Saito said so� Chink! A dry sound came.

When looking up, he saw one arrow stuck in one of the firewood that he sat upon.

�Dangerous. Is there a hunter?�

Chink! Chink!

The arrows flew one after another, sinking into the ground next to Saito and the others.

�Who the?!�

When he shouted, the group looking like mercenaries emerged from the forest.

�Hey you! Is there a village chief? Call him here!�

A lot of people came out. All members were carrying weapons - bows with arrows, spears and so on.

�Wh-what for?�

Tiffania muttered in a frightened voice.

�My, what a beauty. Here, in the middle of the forest, isolated from the world.�

One said and came closer. He was a small, sly looking man with a small cut on his forehead. Apparently, he was the leader of the group.

�And who are you? Mercenaries?�

�Ex-mercenaries. Since the war ended, we returned to our original profession.�

�Profession?�

�Robbery,�

One said, then the others started to laugh.

�Really, the easy wartime was over once we suddenly surrendered to Gallia. You see, we need compensation. So we're going back to basic business, to earn food.�

�Leave. There is nothing for you in here.�

Tiffania answered back and looked courageously at them. The men laughed.

�There is some.�

�Eh?�

�Even if the village looks poor, there are still some valuable things, I think. For me, a great treat would be a beautiful woman like you.�

�I think you would be worth two thousand gold coins, right?�

These robbers seemed to do kidnapping too.

One approached and the moment he tried to touch Tiffania�

Saito stepped in.

�Stop.�

�What? Kid, don�t you value your life? Except for a few exceptions, there is no interest in the market for the likes of you.�

�Don�t touch Tiffa.�

�Myyy, such a serious fellow. Want more wounds? Move.�

Contemptuously evaluating him, the robber gave a vulgar smile.

Saito reached for Derflinger. Derflinger whispered in a worried voice.

��Partner, stop. The way Partner is today, there is no chance of winning.�

�Hey, youngster. Do you want us to murder you? Let us work in peace.�

One robber said while lowering a spear. Saito clenched his fist.�I cannot use Gand�lfr's power and am just a high school student.

But�

Saito gripped Derflinger.　

�I won�t abandon someone to whom I owe my life.�

�Partner��

�Naa, little boy. Do you know something?� said a man holding the spear.

�W-what?�

�To attack the Tristain and Germania Allied Forces, we headed toward Rosais. However, we were stopped by only a single person. I don�t know much as I stayed behind... Yet you remind me the courage of that person. I praise it.�

�It was me.�

Saito, who gripped the sword, said in a shaky voice. Men began to laugh.

�Hey hey! You say you stopped the Albion army when your hand trembles just from holding a sword?�

�At least lie better if you are lying! It was 70,000! 70,000!�

�Shut up!�

Saito raised Derflinger and sprang at a man who laughed. Then the opponent made a serious face and received Saito's sword with the spear.

�Ugh!�

Derflinger was blocked without any effort. The man turned the spear skillfully, hitting Saito's feet with it. Disappointingly, Saito fell on the ground.

Pointing a spear at his face, the man said in a cruel voice,

�Naa, youngster.�

�Ku��

�When you�re reborn in your next life, consider your words before boasting.�

The moment when Saito was giving up, he shut his eyes�

Naudiz Isaz Ehwaz...

Voice came from the back. Gradually, it turned into song. A spell was being cast behind him.

Hagalaz Yr Beorc...

�It was similar to Louise.　

Nyd Is Algiz�

When turning around, he saw Tiffania grasping the small wand that she took out some time ago. It was a small and a thin wand, like a pencil.

�What? Nee-chan is a noble? Naah, it must be another bluff��

Berkanan Man Laguz...　

The moment when a single man closed in...

In a confident attitude, like a conductor lowering a rejected baton, Tiffania lowered her wand.

The air stirred like mayflies.

The air, surrounding men, distorted.

�Fue�?�

Like a fog clearing up, the distorted air returned back to normal� Men looked at the air dumbfoundedly.

�That? What just happened here?�

�This? Why we are in this place?�

Tiffania informed the men in a perfectly composed voice.

�You got lost in the forest.�

�R-really?�

�The army is that way. Go forth to the highway after leaving the forest and then head straight to the north.�

�T-thank you��

Step by step, the men left without reliance.

In a blank surprise, Saito watched their backs.

After the last one disappeared in the forest, Tiffania relaxed.

Then Tiffania said in an embarrassed tone.

��I have erased their memory. Their memory stops at �entering the forest�. When they reach the highway, they will forget about us completely.�

�It�s magic?�

Tiffania nodded. Then Saito realized something.

�Then, the dragon knights that were helped, have lost their memory as well��

�So. You know those people.�

Saito nodded.

Magic that erases one�s memory�

Wind, Water, Fire, Earth�

Whichever element he thought of, none could do that.

Unless�

But isn�t it a legendary element?!

While trembling, Saito asked.

��just now, what magic was it?�

Instead of Tiffania, Derflinger answered.

�Void. It was Void.�

�Void?�

Confused, Tiffania looked at Derflinger.

�� what, this is its true identity.�

Saito, with a widely opened mouth, stared at Tiffania. This girl who had an impossible chest� secretly had an impossible power as well.

�Anyway� Why are you able to use that power? Please, tell me.�

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

Londinium.

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

One hundred years ago, Londinium was hit with a conflagration, and because the town was built of wood, it almost burned down completely. By order of Albion�s king at the time, the construction of wooden buildings had been forbidden in Londinium ever since.

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

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

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

The Havilland palace of Londinium was filled with people like in a party.

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

The Queen of the Kingdom of Tristain, Henrietta�s name was also listed in the �Nations Conference�, as she was invited to attend the party two weeks ago.

Henrietta sat at the round table of Whitehall.

Next to her, Cardinal Mazarin could be seen. Near them was Germania�s Emperor, Albrecht the III, once Henrietta's fiance. In a battle for power between 40 men, he won the Emperor's seat and was now looking at Henrietta with a lecherous stare.

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

�Nice to meet you, Your Highness, Princess Henrietta.�

�I�m afraid I am a queen now, Your Excellency.�

The nose of Albrecht the III turned pale.

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

Therefore, only the ambassador was attending.

Nearby, General Hawkins was fulfilling his duty as the Plenipotentiary Albion Ambassador. The man had dauntless features; he was in his prime. Even though kings were sitting in a row before him, he had no fear. His chest was puffed out in a dignified manner, not showing the pathos of the defeated army general. Germania�s Emperor who sat next him, didn�t like such an attitude at all.

�But� that guy is late.�

Albrecht the III muttered to Henrietta.

�You mean King Joseph?�

Joseph, the King of Gallia, had not shown up yet.

�Yes. The incapable womanizer. No one else from the country was suited to be Gallia�s king. Do you know? It is said that he got the throne by killing his younger brother. What a shameless person.�

Such were the rumors�

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

There stood a beautiful looking blue-haired man.

The announcer called in a perplexed tone.

�His Majesty; King of Gallia!�

He seemed to have a charming figure. His back muscles bulged like a gladiator's. The neatly tightened face, framed by a blue beard.

It was Joseph, King of Gallia.

The King of Gallia watched everyone who gathered, with a broad smile on his face.

�This, this! Everyone is here! All Halkeginia�s kings meeting in this place, unbelievable! A happy day! A happy day!�

Joseph noticed Albrecht the III and tapped his shoulder.

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

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

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

�Aye, thank you.� Albrecht the III muttered, losing his composure. Then Joseph turned his face and this time took Henrietta�s hand.

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

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

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

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

Before Henrietta and Albrecht the III, a large amount of food was placed. Henrietta and others looked at it in astonishment. It included even the finest ingredients in abundance. For some people, not even a year's wages would earn such a dish.

�The dish and the wine I obtained from Gallia. I apologize for the shoddiness, but this dish is nothing compared to the treat from the whole country, so enjoy yourselves!� The waiter poured wine into the cup, which King Joseph hung.

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

�Leaders of all Halkeginia. Though it is small, first of all, let us hold the feast of celebration. The war ended. Let us toast to peace!�

The cold night continued.

It seemed like the night would last forever. But, when at last morning came, she fell asleep. She woke up at noon and went to sleep again. It was a mentally exhausting cycle.

Two weeks passed� after using Summon Servant and learning about Saito�s death. All during this time, Louise never even took a single step out of her room. From time to time she got off the bed to eat the dishes placed at her door. She didn�t care anymore who it was placing it there.

Only in her dreams could Louise meet Saito. So Louise tried to sleep all day long. Whenever she could not fall asleep, she drank wine. For Louise, the distinction between morning and night had already lost its meaning. The curtains in her room were always closed, so it was always dim.

Such a way of life gradually devours the boundary between day and night.

The boundaries between dream and reality become ambiguous too.

However, this was the only world that Louise longed for.

She wanted to stay forever in this dream world, where she could meet Saito.

Even if someone knocked on the door, Louise did not answer. In order not to hear if someone called for her, she stuffed her ears with cotton. All locks were locked, preventing anyone from entering the room. She hugged her pillow as if it was Saito� closing her eyes and pressing her cheeks against it.

Saito in her dreams always� gently embraced Louise, holding her close.

And did it many times with love.

This was the ideal Saito of Louise�s subconsciousness.

From the bottom of her heart, she wanted to be with her beloved familiar.

�On the evening of that day, Louise had a dream about Saito.

They were strolling together besides Ragdorian Lake.

�The water is beautiful.�

�Yeah.�

Hand in hand, the couple walked around the lake.

Louise was wearing a black dress and black beret, like on her first date with Saito. That appearance was mirrored by the beautiful surface of the water.

�Here, the Water Spirit was seen, right?�

�Yeah.�

They did not talk much.

All words seemed plain and useless.

It felt that uttering them would break this little world of theirs.

A warm world of illusions of cracked glass, even if it was swallowed further and further by the darkness � that�s how it felt.

�Louise, hey, come here. This light reflected on the water is very beautiful.�

�Waa, truly beautiful!�

�But, not as beautiful as you, Louise.�

�S-stop saying silly things!�

�It is true. I think you are more beautiful than anyone. So, I want to be together. Always together.�

�Then, you won�t go anywhere, right?�

�Aah, I won�t go anywhere.�

Deep inside Louise knew; this was just a dream. But she kept on repeating a badly acted play between Saito and herself. In fact, she was the only spectator watching it.

�I have something to tell you.�

�What?�

Louise muttered embarrassed as she stepped into the water.

�Stop it Louise. The water is cold, you�ll freeze.�

There was something special about words spoken in this lake. Perhaps it was because of the Water Spirit, the spirit of oaths; oaths forged here could never be broken.

In a dream, Louise wanted to tell it to Saito.

��I want to swim. Why don�t we swim together?�

�All right. If you get cold, I�ll warm you up.�

So�

It was a dream.

True, Saito is not that gentle.

Still� she was happy. Because it�s impossible in reality for her and Saito to meet again�

-Pachpach- Saito entered into the water.

She thought he was going towards her, but was wrong.

Steadily, Saito went further into the lake.

�Saito� Where are you going?

Saito waved her back with a smile.

�Stop! You�ll drown!�

Slowly� Saito's body disappeared in the water. Louise ran after him.

�Wait! Do not go! Please!�

However, Louise's shouts did not reach him. Saito went fully under the water.

Louise ran towards him, splashing the water.

Seeing Saito, as if asleep, sinking further to the bottom of the water, Louise went in a half-frenzy.

�Wait! No! No, don�t go there! I said stop!�

Saito�s figure became smaller and smaller.

�Wait! Please!�

�Wait!�

Louise sprang to her feet. It was pitch-dark in the room. It was night, apparently. Waking up at night led her to despair. Though it was not much different than waking in the morning, waking at night was more exhausting.

Yet, Louise was not relieved that it was a dream. It is the same � dream or reality. Either way, she felt the same pain, the same guilt.

That day, when Saito left, she berated him non-stop.

�Where are you, Saito?�

She understood.

�Is it� cold in there? Like on the bottom of Ragdorian Lake� is it cold and dark?�

Saito stands in the place where I can�t go� where my voice will never reach him.�Though she knew that, she could not help but say it.

�I want to meet you.�

Louise closed her eyes.

And� she muttered in a fading voice.

�Can I go too?�

No tears left. Just a body, dully wrapped in helpless numbness.

�I can't bear it anymore. I can't bear the parting in the dream. Therefore, can I go to the place where you are?�

Louise knew.

There�s only one way to get there�

But, this would mean betraying everything.

Betraying her duty to her mother country, her mission as Void user, her hopes and beliefs, loved ones� and Saito too, who died to save her� she would be betraying that too.

Louise understood that well. However, she could not think of anything else.

But now, being saved meant to meet her kind familiar again, only this way.

�I want to tell you those words. Those that I could not utter even in my dream� So, can I go to meet you? I want to say them by all means. I want to tell them to you� So, forgive me.�

Louise rose from the bed and headed towards the door barefooted.

After two weeks, the Nations Conference ended without too much trouble.

The result: Tristain and Germania claimed a vast territory in Albion and added it to their territory.

The remaining lands were under the joint rule of three countries: Tristain, Germania and Gallia, as it was decided to restore the monarchy. Therefore, the regions, including the capital city of Londinium, were managed by the three countries as a joint ruling territory.

As a ruler, Tristain�s old noble Duke of Marcillac was recommended. He was aged and didn�t have much ambition. His excellent domestic affair abilities made sure that the troubled Albion would be restored. From Germania and Gallia, representatives would be elected, and placed as the king's advisers.

And, with four countries taking part, the monarchy of Halkeginia was defended, the rise of republics stopped, and the monarchic alliance of four countries was announced.

If a new believer in democratic ideology started to cause a revolution in a kingdom, the other three countries would be allowed to start military intervention. As a result, new attempts at revolution would be noticed by the four governments at the same time.

With the establishment of this alliance, the nations conference was closed.

They were told to return to their countries tomorrow�

In Havilland palace, Henrietta was desperately looking over documents. Cardinal Mazarin could be seen next to her.

�Your Majesty, get some rest already� Lately you hardly sleep.�

Henrietta attended the Nations Conference almost round-the-clock. For Tristain�s interests, she took part in heated discussions. Albrecht the III concluded in a whisper, �Not accepting the marriage was the correct choice.�

�Even if we return home, there will be piles of work. I want to do as much as possible.�

�However, it is already 12 o'clock.�

�I will rest later.�

However, the Queen did not go the bed.

�Leave such table work to the secretary��

�I want to look over everything. Otherwise, there would have been no point of coming on the cloud.�

Mazarin sighed. Because Henrietta was so young, he couldn�t help but worry. However� Mazarin watched Henrietta through half-way closed eyes. He wanted to keep the princess, whom he had watched over since she was just a baby, out of danger forever.

As if preparing to lecture a student, Mazarin cleared his throat.

�Your Majesty, as I have said repeatedly, we have to be careful of Gallia.�

�Uhum.�

Henrietta nodded, not lifting her face from the documents.

�Though it was� Gallia that brought an end to this war. Yet, their demands were insignificant� They only wanted one port. Also their words, �All that we wanted we already obtained.���

In terms of direct control of territory, Tristain and Germania obtained a considerable amount, but Gallia did not want it. Mazarin was suspicious of Gallia�s disinterest.

�Indeed.�

Henrietta nodded.

�Fuaah.� Mazarin let out a big yawn.

�You seem to be sleepy. Please take some rest.�

�No� I won�t leave until Your Majesty goes to bed.�

Henrietta smiled, putting away the documents.

�Will you get some rest?�

�Yes. Because I cannot risk your health.�

�Stay healthy not just for me. Sleeping is also part of work.�

�Yes,� Henrietta nodded obediently.

Then� reassured, Mazarin left. Girlishly, Henrietta fell onto the bed. And muttered absent-minded�

�Tired��

Right now, she could sleep like the dead. But, there was one thing left to do before that. An act which became every days custom before sleep.

Henrietta pulled out a rope next to her pillow.

At once� a court lady appeared in front of the door.

�You called, Your Majesty?�

�Did Agnes return?�

�The Musketeer Commander, Agnes�sama, hasn't returned yet.�

�I see. Thank you.�

After hearing the footsteps of the court lady disappear, Henrietta shut her eyes tight. Like a child, she bit her fingernail. Looking troubled, Henrietta buried her face into the pillow, with her eyes closed.

Louise and Siesta were standing on the hill where Saito fought, looking down at the wide meadow below.

The morning sun rose from the other side of the mountain range, and light cracked through a crevice between the mountains, making the scenery more beautiful.

The previous day, both of them had walked almost 50 leagues. Even though the tent was put up and they slept at night, their legs still felt like a pair of sticks.

However, the spectacle before them was like medicine for their exhaustion.

With the mountain range far away, the faint fresh green grass was everywhere and contrasted it. It seemed unbelievable that this place, just one month ago, was a battlefield. The spectacle in front just could not be related with a tragic feast of iron, blood, and magic.

However, Saito held the enemy back, here.

��Saito attacked 70,000 here.�

Here, my shield took my place.

What was he thinking?

The wide forest line could be seen off to the side. After explaining the issue, Louise borrowed a map of Albion from the Academy of Magic, made by the Tristain Academy of Geography.

Siesta looked over her shoulder.

�This is a map of the whole Albion continent.�

Louise cleared her throat and folded the map.

�I wonder if there is a village nearby��

Siesta looked into the distance and pointed at the corner of the forest.

�There is a path there.�

There was a path that they didn't notice at night.

�It leads into the forest.�

�It�s easy to miss, but it doesn�t disappear within the forest.�

Though the path was not wide enough for a carriage to pass, it was wide enough for a person, and it seemed it was tread down rather firmly.

�Someone lives in there.�

Siesta said.

Meanwhile�

At Emma�s house, Saito, who wasn't able to fall asleep, was spending the night with Agnes. Because Louise was staying at Tiffania�s house, Saito lost his lodging. In only a single room, Saito and Agnes were sitting at the table. In the bed nearby, Emma was already asleep.

�So, you don�t have the ability to protect her?�

Agnes muttered after listening to Saito�s story.

��Aye. Because I am not Gand�lfr anymore.�

After thinking for a while, Agnes asked�

�You were defending Miss Valli�re because you were Gand�lfr?�

�Indeed. Because I was Gand�lfr, I could protect Louise.�

�That�s not it.�

�Eh?�

�It is not the meaning I was implying. It was a question about will. There is a different meaning between �able to protect due to being a Gand�lfr� and �protecting due to being a Gand�lfr�.�

Saito was startled.

�So, who was protecting Miss Valli�re? Was it Gand�lfr? Or Saito Hiraga? That�s what I want to hear.�

�That��

Saito looked hesitant before answering.

�It�s easy to belittle oneself. It�s easy to mutter �I can�t� and give up one�s courage. But��

Agnes continued.

�To risk your life for a woman, is worth a whole lifetime.�

�My name is Louise Fran�oise Le Blanc de La Valli�re. Pentagon of the Five Elemental Powers, bless this humble being, and make him my familiar.�

In the living room of Tiffania's house, Contract Servant was completed.

Though they searched in the forest� the woman in a black robe, who introduced herself as Sheffield, was gone. Only a large number of Alviss' were lying around.

When Louise and the others returned to Tiffania�s house� they decided to give another �contract� to Saito. If they were attacked again like a few moments ago, it might get serious after all.

Siesta and Tiffania watched Saito's contracting with Louise with worried expressions. Agnes, with her arms crossed, was nonchalantly watching what the mage was doing.

�I guess he's willing to become a mage�s tool again. The runes make the sword training useless.�

�Maybe��

Derflinger, who was leaning against the sofa, said in a somewhat painful voice. Agnes looked up at Derflinger surprised.

�Why so gloomy. Isn�t your partner coming back?�

Not answering Agnes� question, Derflinger remained silent.

Once the spell ended, Louise brought her lips to Saito�s.

Saito watched at her thin, but nicely shaped lips.

When you think about it� everything started from here.

Various adventures crossed his mind.

After this, a new adventure might start from here. With his hopes and fears in turmoil, Saito stirred a little. Seeing Saito acting this way, Louise asked him.

�You won�t regret it?�

Saito, gazing straight into Louise�s eyes, said.

�I have already decided it when I passed the gate.�

Louise nodded, and slowly pressed her lips against Saito�s.

At once� a burning pain hit his body.

�Guaaaaaah!�

Siesta tried to run up to Saito, who was rolling in agony.

�S-Saito-san!�

�I-it�s all right� it�s just the runes of the familiar being carved in��

Both, Saito and Louise, said at the same time.

And at once the pain subdued.

Saito watched curves appearing on his left hand.

�Haah�� he moaned. Louise shut her eyes and pressed herself closer to Saito.

�D-did it fail?�

�No� it succeeded.�

Saito showed Louise his left hand�s top.

Gand�lfr's runes were firmly carved.

Louise gently traced each rune with her finger.�This character string� is a bond between me and Saito.�While caressing them� the amount of time when they were separated, the despair she felt, she was overflowed by the feelings.

Though everyone were still there, Louise desperately clung tightly onto Saito� and buried her face below his chest. And stayed like that, not moving. Saito gently held Louise�s shoulders.

Everyone stared at the couple.

�Well, as I said, I need to sharpen my sword for the battle,� Agnes muttered.

Though Siesta lifted up her eyes for a moment, she gave out a smile in the end.

The innocent Tiffania blushed.

�Your left hand� don�t stress it too much� I can�t help but worry.�

Derflinger muttered so silently that no one heard.

For a while, it will be very sensitive�　

Tiffania, after saying, �Well, I�m sure you need various things to discuss,� hurriedly dashed out of the bedroom.

Siesta came up to Louise and muttered quietly in her ear.

��Only for today, I will lend him to you.�

�And left as fast as Tiffania left the room.

When Derflinger tried to say something, he was gripped by Agnes.

�All right, you also have to go.�

Finally alone, Saito and Louise gazed at each other in silence.

While they were looking at each other� tears started to fall from Louise�s eyes.

�Louise.�

When Saito unconsciously hugged her shoulders tighter, even more tears started to fall from her eyes. Not wiping them, Louise opened her mouth.

�Th��

�Th?�

�Thth�.�

�Thth?�

�Th-thought I will never be able to meet you again��

While looking straight at him Louise sobbed.

�I-I�thought I, gu, had something important to t-t-tell, you, gu, went somewhere��

Her speech overflowed with her feelings.

�You didn't show up on the ship, you didn't show up in the bed, back at home� Do you know how worried I was?.. I couldn�t take it anymore� I couldn�t take it because��

Louise was heavily pulling out words mixed with tears. Though she was incoherent and hard to understand, Louise�s feelings poured right into Saito�s heart.

�But y-you visited me in my dreams� you were gentle, and, and��

�D-don�t cry��

Saito hugged Louise tightly, encircling her head with his hand. Louise started to weep stronger.

�Cruel� You left me alone, cruel��

�I won�t leave,�

Saito said.

�I won�t leave you any more.�

When he said those words� he remembered how it hurt him so badly as well, since the runes disappeared.

�Don't go anywhere again.�

�Aye.�

�S-stay by me.�

�Aye.�

Saito nodded many times.

The inside of his nose started to tickle.

That�s right, this is what I really wanted to do from the beginning.

Since I was not Louise�s Gand�lfr, though I wanted to protect her� I misunderstood. I thought that not being a Gand�lfr, I couldn't protect her.

But, I was wrong.

I can protect you, Louise.

Not someone else, me� I want to protect you.

As he thought this, something warm spread inside Saito�s heart.

This warmth made Saito more determined.

Some day, I might return.

But� not until I make Louise happy.

For the master who needs me so much, I will pursue her dreams.

When he was determined like that, everything seemed simple.

Louise was still crying.

�Y-you can look at other girls� You can touch them� You can k-k-k-kiss them, but� don�t go anywhere��

Louise kept on crying for a while.