Chapter 10: The water spirit.
"Okay let me guess this straight, Louise drink a wine with a potion mix?"
"Yes." Monmorency said.
"And now what are we going to do? And Louise keep seducting me!...And Can you please knock it off!" Saito said while he pushed off louise
"Stupid dog, I Was just comforting you!"
"Oh my, I never knew that montmorency was trying to capture my heart." Guiche said.
"Monmon can you make an Antidote for Curing louise?" Saito asked.
"Hmmm..." Now Montmorency was worried she knew this love Potion was banned in Law "Maybe."
In the evening to the next day, Saito was in Montmorency's room. He had a quarrel with Louise before leaving her in her room and coming here…
"You can't even make an antidote?"
With his face lifted, Saito stared at Montmorency. Beside her sat Guiche holding his chin and scowling. Montmorency and Guiche had gone into the city that day to face the black-market traders in the hopes of finding the antidote, however...
"It can't be helped! It was sold out!"
"Then when can you buy it?"
"It seems like they do not have the goods needed."
"What is it?"
"The specific medicine comes from Ragdorian Lake, at the boarder with Gallia. It is made from the tears of a water spirit... however it seems they were not able to contact the water spirits recently."
"Whaat?"
"In other words, we cannot get this special medicine."
"Then what about Louise?"
"Well, I mean, really, what is so bad about all this? She has fallen in love with you. You like Louise, do you not?"
Saito couldn't consent with what Guiche said, though.
"I can't be happy if the reason she likes me is because of that medicine. These are not Louise's true feelings. That's why I want Louise to return back to her original self."
But...Montmorency pouted her lips and Guiche shook his head reluctantly. Even Saito thought quietly for a while, until he finally grasped his hand into a fist, determined.
"Where is that water spirit?"
"I told you already, it's at the Ragdorian lake."
"So you only need to get in touch with her, right?"
"Eeeeeh! Now listen here! The water spirit rarely shows her face before humans! And even if she did, she is very strong! If angered, the results can be disastrous!"
"I don't care, let's go!"
"Well I do care! I am absolutely not going!"
Saito crossed his arms.
"Well then, there's only one thing I can do. I will have to tell Her Royal Highness the Princess about the love potion, or is it Her Royal Highness the Queen now? Anyway, I will have to ask for her help about the problem. Come to think, I've gained information about some rules here, wasn't that potion banned? It's not supposed to be allowed to be made, right? Now then, I wonder what would Her Highness do if she learned about it?"
Montmorency's face quickly turned pale.
"What do you think, Monmon?"
"Fine, already! I understand! I will go, if you go!"
"Hmm, we can't let Louise stay this way, either. Or else others may notice her strange behaviour and suspect the love potion."
Guiche shook his head.
"Fear not, my lover. I will stay by your side on this journey," said Guiche while leaning in and trying to slowly put his hand over Montmorency's shoulders, but she quickly evaded him.
"That's not really inspiring. You are too weak."
After that, the trio made arrangements for the journey.
They would leave the following day, early in the morning. Because they did not know how Louise might act if left alone, they decided to bring her along as well.
"Haah, this is my first time skipping school." Montmorency sighed.
"And what about me, as I have not been going to school for half of a year now? After Saito came, it was adventures everyday! Ahahaha!" Guiche burst into a hearty laughter.
Few hours later, The hills and mountains overlooked the dark blue waves of Ragdorian Lake as they rippled. The sun's illumination on the lake was spread like a layer of shimmering glass.
Saito and others arrived at the lake by horse.
Because Louise disliked riding alone, she and Saito took the same horse. She sat in front. It seemed like she didn't want to leave Saito's side even for a single moment.
Montmorency and Guiche were riding on separate splendid grey horses.
"This must be the famous Ragdorian lake! No, the beauty of this lake is indescribable! The
Water Spirit is in there! I'm impressed! Hyaa!" Yelled Guiche, whipping the horse and sending it plunging down the hill.
But the horse was afraid of the water and when it reached the shore it came to an abrupt stop. Following the law of inertia, Guiche was flung off the horse and, with a thunderous crash, fell head first into the lake.
"Can't reach the ground! It's deep! Deeeeeeep!"Guiche desperately cried out for help while struggling in the water. It seemed that Guiche did not know how to swim.
"I wonder if we should reconsider our fellowship after all?" Montmorency muttered.
"That would be nice." Saito nodded. Louise looked up at Saito with a worried face.
"Montmorency is nice?"
"I don't mean that. Just wait. I will return you to your original self."
Saito brought the horse close to the shore. Guiche, after a long struggle, was shivering and soaked from head to toe as he finally reached the shore. He had a bitter look on his face.
"Hey hey, shouldn't you help me? Do not desert someone who cannot swim!"
However, Montmorency completely ignored Guiche and was instead looking at the lake suspiciously.
"What is it?" Saito asked.
"Strange."
"What's strange?"
"The water level is up. Ragdorian's shore should be further up there."
"Really?"
"Yes. Look over there. There is a rooftop sticking out. It seems that village has been flooded."
Following Montmorency's gaze, they could indeed see the roof. Saito could even recognize the dark shadow of the sunken house under the limpid surface of the water.
Montmorency walked up to the shore, dipped her finger into the water and closed her eyes. After a while she stood back up with a worried expression on her face.
"It seems as if the Water Spirit is angry."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I am a Water-element user, Montmorency the Fragrance. The Tristain Royal family is connected with the Ragdorian lake Water Spirit by an old oath. The Montmorency 'Water' family has been negotiating with it for many generations."
"And now?"
"And now, for various reasons, other nobles are doing it."
"Then, have you seen the Water Spirit?"
"Only once when I was small. When we needed to create a drainage for the territory, the family sought the Water Spirit's cooperation. A big glass container was made to transport it. However, because the Water Spirit has a lot of pride, it can be extremely aggressive. In fact, it is because of their aggressiveness that my family's drainage scheme failed. My father said to the Water Spirit 'Do not walk. The floor gets wet'…"
"What does the Water Spirit look like?" Saito asked, showing curiosity.
"I have never actually seen it."
Guiche, flapping his wet shirt that he had taken off, nodded in agreement. Louise, who had absolutely no interest in the discussion, hid herself behind Saito's back and unconsciously held on tightly to the hem of his parka.
"Beautiful! Quite so…" At that moment, an old lonesome farmer who was hiding behind a tree stepped out.
"I suppose, my lords, you are nobles."
A middle aged farmer looked up with an embarrassed face.
"What's the matter?" Montmorency asked.
"My lords, did you come to negotiate with the Water Spirit? If so, then we have been saved! Please, quickly make your negotiations and solve this flood problem."
The party looked at each other. It seemed like this farmer was a resident of the village that sank into the lake.
"That, well, we... came here just to see the lake."
"Haa," the farmer sigh deeply.
"What on earth happened to the Ragdorian lake?"
"The water started to rise about two years ago. The water level increased slowly, flooding the port first, then the temple and fields... See? Now even the eagles' nests are flooded. The local lords that are responsible for this territory indulge in royal court entertainments and pay no attention to our pleas."
"By the Founder." Guiche commented
"For years we lived on this land, depending on the moody Water Spirit. Honestly, it's good when it stays at the bottom of the lake... We really want to understand why it has suddenly become interested in our land. Because this land belongs to men! But, only a noble could communicate with it. I'd like to know what we poor farmers did to make it lose its temper."
Saito and the others bent their heads in embarrassment.
After the farmer finished grumbling and left, Montmorency took something out of the bag attached to her waist. It was a tiny frog. It was bright yellow with many black spots.
Montmorency put the frog in the palm of her hand, it stared up at her inquisitvely.
"Frog!"
Louise, who was afraid of frogs, screamed and drew closer to Saito.
"What is with this poisonously colored frog?"
"It is not poisonous, I tell you! It is my dear familiar!"
Apparently, this tiny frog was Montmorency's familiar. Montmorency raised her finger, and ordered to her familiar.
"Listen Robin, I want to contact an old friend of yours."
Then Montmorency reached in her pocket and took out a needle, in one brief moment she stuck her finger with it allowing a ruby of bright red blood to gush. Turning her finger over she let a drop fall on the frog.
After that, Montmorency cast a spell, treating the wound on the tip of her finger. Then she brought the frog close again.
"Since she knows who I am, she should know who you are. Robin, please, in the name of the great spirits of the dead, seek the old Water Spirit, and tell her I wish to speak with her because of our alliance. Do it for me, understood?"
The frog slightly nodded and disappeared into the water with a splash.
"Now, Robin went to call the Water Spirit. If she can find it, she is likely to bring it here."
Saito looked doubtful.
"When it comes, we have to tell it a sad story, but I wonder what could be good. Maybe this story I know about a master and a dog would do. However, it is considerably old, I wonder if it would suit these guys…"
"Sad story? What are you talking about?"
"Because we need tears of the Water Spirit. How else would we get it if not making it cry?"
"You really are ignorant. Well, I guess since even non-water element mages do not know it either, so it is impossible to expect a commoner like you to know. The Tear of the Water Spirit is only a name. It doesn't really shed tears."
Saito and Guiche looked at each other. Louise, lonely without Saito's attention, 'rub-rub' rubbed her cheek against his back. It was really weird! Though one could die from such a cute Louise, all that mattered now was Montmorency's story.
"Then, what is the tear of the Water Spirit?" Guiche asked.
"The Water Spirit... compared to human lifespans, it can live a long, long, long time. It is said to have existed 6,000 years ago, when the Founder Brimir established Halkeginia. Its body, like water, can freely change its shape... and in a sunshine it glistens with seven colors…"
The moment Montmorency said this, the surface of the water began to shine.
The Water Spirit appeared.
30 meters away from the shore where Saito and others were standing the water was shining.
The surface of the water was wriggling non-stop. Then the water welled up like a rising cake. Saito watched it with an expression of blank surprise. The water was constantly changing shape so one could not even see hands. It looked like a huge amoeba. Though its flashing lights were beautiful... it made them uncomfortable.
The frog, Montmorency's familiar, hopped back to its master with a splash. Montmorency held out her palm and caught the frog. She patted the frog's head with her finger.
"Thank you for helping to bring it."
Then Montmorency stood up, spread her hands towards the Water Spirit, and opened her mouth.
"I am a Montmorency Margarita La Fère de Montmorency. User of water, member of the lineage of old oath. I have put my blood on the frog to help you remember. If you remember, answer in the way and words that we understand."
The Water Spirit... rising out of the surface of the water... started slowly to gain shape like a clay figure. Saito's eyes popped out from surprise when watching this.
The mass of water slowly shaped itself into Montmorency's form and faintly smiled.
However, it was bigger and had no clothes. It looked like a transparent nude Montmorency. Just like an ice statue.
The Water Spirit's expression changed into various forms. After the smile followed angry, then - crying faces. Each time she tried a new expression, the lump face of water moved.
Indeed, she looked beautiful. Like an always changing jewel.
Then her face became expressionless again as the Water Spirit answered Montmorency's question.
"I remember, mere human. I remember the liquid that flows in your body. The moon has changed 52 times since our last meeting."
"I'm glad. Water Spirit, I need to ask you something. Although it might seem somewhat insensitive, could you give me a piece of your body?"
Part of its body? Saito wondered. What's that? When he poked Montmorency, she turned around annoyed.
"Although it is a tear, it is impossible to make immortal spirits cry. They are... different from us. I do not even know if one can call them living beings. Either way the tear of the Water Spirit is a part of its body."
"So we have to cut down its body?" Saito shouted in surprise.
"Shh! Not so loud! The Water Spirit can get very angry! That's why it is nearly impossible to obtain the tear. How the people in the city's black market are able to get it… I simply cannot imagine."
The Water Spirit smiled.
"Oh, it smiled! It must mean it's ok!"
But, the words that came from its mouth... maybe because it still didn't understand how to to speak properly, were completely opposite.
"I refuse, mere human."
"Is that so? How unfortunate. Oh well, we'll be heading back now."
Saito was shocked by how easily Montmorency gave up.
"Hey hey! Wait a moment! Don't give up on Louise so easily! Hey, Water Spirit!"
Saito pushed Montmorency aside and faced the Water Spirit.
"Wait! You! Stop it! Don't anger the Water Spirit!"
Montmorency tried to thrust Saito aside, but Saito didn't even flinch. Guiche inclined his head wondering. Louise silently drew closer to Saito. Seeing such a scene, it was hard to tell which one of them was a familiar.
"Great Water Spirit! Please! I will do anything you ask for your tear! A little bit! Only a little bit!"
The Montmorency shaped Water Spirit didn't answer anything to Saito, who was down on his knees pressing his head against the ground, prostrating.
"I beg you! The most important person to me right now is in trouble! Don't you have someone important to you as well? My important person right now needs help... and for that, a part of your body is needed! Therefore, please! Look!"
Hearing this Montmorency stopped trying to pull Saito away and let out a deep sigh. Guiche, who was moved to tears already, nodded. Louise, feeling insecure, kept on clinging to Saito.
The Water Spirit changed her appearance few times before taking Montmorency's shape again, and said to Saito.
"Very well."
"R-Really?"
"But with one condition. As a mere human that doesn't know the reason of this world, you said that you would do anything?"
"Yes! That's what I said!"
"Then repel those that attack me, and your comrades."
They looked at each other.
"Repel?"
"Yes, I have raised the water level as far as I could. I no longer have the energy to fight them. If you can fight them off, I will bestow unto you my tear."
"No, I hate fights."
Saito put his hand on Montmorency's shoulder and patted it.
"You want to eat prison food instead?"
Saito once again threatened Montmorency about the forbidden potion and she, like the day before, could not help but to give in.
"I know, already! I'll do it!"
So it was decided that they needed to discover the identities of the people attacking the Water Spirit.
The place where the Water Spirit lives – the very bottom of the lake. Someone, using magic, attacked her there in the middle of the night.
Saito and the others hid themselves in the shade of the tree on the shore at Gallia's side – a place that the Water Spirit showed them – and waited quietly for the assailant to come.
Guiche, to cheer himself up before the battle, took a sip of wine that Saito brought. When all of his anxiety was gone he started to sing. Saito pushed his head aside.
Louise was in an extremely bad mood because, Saito was only talking to Montmorency.
'"Why he is nicer with Montmorency than with me, does he love her, or maybe he just hates me, waah waah" she cried angrily.
And, with her roaring around like that, Saito had to kiss her cheek many times to calm her down and put her to sleep. Because of that, right now she was sleeping calmly next to him, breathing softly with a blanket wrapped up around her. Guess anyone would be like that if a potion made them fall madly in love.
"The people that attacked the Water Spirit went to the bottom of the lake. How can they breathe under the water?...Wait...does that means...It was a Water Mage who got in?" Saito asked Montmorency.
Montmorency thought for a while.
"Yes, Their could use a ball of air created around the user it's not that hard to get to the bottom of the lake. At the same time, even if you use water magic and are able to breathe underwater, directly touching the water would be suicidal as the Water Spirit controls it here. So maybe it was an air element mage, that way one can avoid touching the water."
According to the Water Spirit, she was attacked every night on a regular basis, having bits of her body cut off.
"But how could someone wound it and still go unnoticed?"
"The Water Spirit's movements are slow… Besides, if you separate the Water Spirit from her source of water, her magic eventually wears out. Using a strong flame would make her evaporate gradually. It becomes impossible to connect back to a liquid again once being turned into gas."
"It is impossible to turn back?"
"The Water Spirit's soul is like moss. Even being torn to pieces it can reconnect itself into one again, as long as it has all the pieces. It is a really complicated creature compared to us."
"Hmmm…" Saito nodded.
"And because the attacker is not touching the water, the Water Spirit cannot reach him."
"Then it is not that powerful at all."
"Really… You do not know how scary the Water Spirit can be… Even if for a single moment one lost concentration and the air ball disappeared allowing the water to connect – then it would be dreadful. Water controls other creatures' lives, if you lose the protection of an air ball, then you would enter the Water Spirit's territory where challenging her is something that even the greatest daredevil should not do."
Saito sighed. Really, Halkeginia is filled with dangerous creatures that he could never even imagine before.
Two moons were shining high above in the sky. It's midnight, Saito shut his mouth and with one hand brought Derflinger, that was hanging on his back, closer. Montmorency, scared by the sudden tension, muttered in a shaky voice.
"Anyhow, because I hate savage fights, I'll leave it all up to you."
"Don't worry Montmorency. I am here. I will bravely protect the maiden from war and punish the villain."
Guiche, who obviously drank too much wine, started leaning towards Montmorency.
"Listen, just go to sleep already. You reek of alcohol."
"Guiche, be a decoy." Guiche nodded red-faced.
Saito took a deep breath. The fighter's intuition that he gained from experiencing many fights was now telling him that someone was near. He prepared his magic. Guess that someone is an enemy? But, will it be all right. I should be able to beat more mages up. What would it someone who would summon a rock golem before, but the last time it was no match against Saito, He noticing himself, Saito was prepared, He gazed at Louise's sleeping face. Wait for me, I will definitely bring you back – he muttered silently.
One hour passed after that. Shadows appeared on the shore. It was two people. Because those figures were wearing jet-black hooded robes it was hard to tell whether they were men or women.
Saito gripped Derflinger's handle. The rune on his left hand began to shine. However, he hadn't left the hiding spot. He still could not decide whether it was these people that attacked Water Spirit or not, But, the pair pulled out their wands while standing at the waterside.
It looked like they started chanting spells. Convinced that there was no mistake by now, Saito stood up from the shade of the tree and moved towards the pair. Two people thought themselves that it was an easy match for them, But no avail. Because he dashed faster than a normal human and sliced their wands and kicked the first person on the ground, But this person revealed that it was a woman with red-hair, It was Kirche.
"Kirche?..Is that you?" The surprised Saito said.
"D-Darling!"
3 seconds later, The area in front of him exploded. Saito was blown off. This magic was… Louise's void magic.
"Don't bully Saitooo!"
Louise's scream echoed through the night. It almost made Saito lose consciousness. Louise helped me. Though she was asleep… but she was probably woken up by all this noise.
Louise waited for an attack, but the battle was already over
Kirche stood up and the other one stopped chanting its spell. Louise was schocked that the first person was Kirche as also the others..But who was the second firgure?
The other hooded figure removed its hood, Its face that appeared in the moonlight was…
"Kirche! Tabitha!" Guiche shouted loudly after he waked up from a drunken sleep.
"What? It was you?" Montmoncery shouted also.
Feeling relieved, Saito tiredly kneeled to the ground and sighted.
The next day...
"Glad that you're back to normal louise."
"hmpf...Stupid dog..."
End Chapter
PS: AAAAAANNNND I'm back everyone!