5 minutes later, Saito returned to replace the empty bottle when he found something on the ground. Picking it up, he noticed it was a tiny vial. Where'd this come from?A spare bit of potion? "So heavy..." said a voice. Turning, he saw Tiffa helping an exhausted Illococoo back to the wagon. "Did something happen?" Saito asked, a little concerned. "Illococoo fell asleep on stage all of a sudden," Tiffa replied. "Huh? What's wrong with her?"
"Supposedly, it's exhausting for Rhyme Dragons to stay in human form over long periods of time," Derf explained. "Given how she hasn't transformed back over the last couple of days, she must be tired." Saito helped Tiffa place the sleeping Illococoo into the wagon. "Big Sis... you d'nce too..." she mumbled. "Guess she's dreaming," Saito smiled. "Let's let her sleep for a while." "Good idea," Tiffa agreed. "Hmm? What's that bottle?" "Oh this? I found it by the crates," he replied, holding it out for her to see.
Tiffa gasped, "Could it be!?" Saito turned, "What is it?" "Kirche gave a small vial of sleeping potion to give to that Baron when he was distracted. She must have dropped it!!" Tiffa's expression changed to one of worry. "Oh crap!" Saito said, sprinting to the Baron's private room. Kicking open the door, he saw the Baron one the floor, laying on top of Louise as she squirmed to escape his clutches. "Get the hell off her, you bastard!!" He roared, pulling his knife.
"Saito!" Louise said with relief. The Baron grit his teeth and stood up. He had Louise in a headlock and pointed a wand at her head. "It seems you're no ordinary traveling circus," he said, grinning darkly. Saito brought his blade up. "Don't even think about it!" The Baron warned, putting the tip of his wand to Louise's temple. "Take another step and I'll blow the girl's head off!" Saito glared with fury, he was stuck. I know I can hit him from this range, but am I fast enough to get him before he launches a spell!? Fortunately, he wouldn't have to test that, as a voice from behind him spoke.
"Nau sid yisa waysarel. Hagaraz yul beog." Tiffa had brought out a wand and began an incantation. A small whirlwind encircled the room and she pointed her wand at the Baron. "Need is algees. Bel kana man lagoo!" He suddenly glows brightly and displays a blank look on his face. Louise runs out of his freed grip and into Saito's arms. "Saito!!!" "You ok?" He asked worriedly. She nodded, "I'm alright. Thank you Tiffa." "It was nothing, you're very welcome!" The half-elf smiles.
"What kind of spell was that you used?" Asked Louise. "I didn't recognize the incantation." "It's Magic of Oblivion, the only spell I can use. It erases memories," Tiffa replied. "I've never heard of such magic before," Louise pondered. "Is that some kind of Nature Magic? Or perhaps..." "I'm honestly not sure," said Tiffa.
"Here, don't go without your wand," Saito said, handing it to Louise. "Well I didn't exactly have a place to hide it," she retorted. "What am I doing here?" Asked the Baron, coming to. The others turn to regard the man, who suddenly charges towards Louise, hearts in his eyes. "Those tiny breasts are just to my liking!!!" Louise swiftly kicks him in the face, stopping the Baron in his tracks. "Mention any of this to Kirche, and you die," Louise warned, making Saito and Tiffa sweat drop.
A moment later, they stepped outside. Every soldier in attendance was now passed out. "Is that everyone?" Saito asked, looking around. "It sure looks that way," Louise replied. Suddenly there was a loud bang which shook the ground. "Somebody's fighting!" Said Tiffa, looking out over the ledge. Indeed, the rest of the group was dueling against what appeared to be a powerful mage. He levitated a chunk of ground and threw it at Guiche and Malicone.
Saito had seen enough, drawing Derf, he jumped off the ledge. "Stop it!" He yelled, swinging to strike. Derf was blocked, however, by some sort of barrier, knocking the boy onto his back. "Saito!!" Louise and Tiffa rushed down to help him. "He's a elf!" He said in astonishment. "Begone, warrior," said the stranger, turning to leave. "You stand no chance against me." Louise and Tiffa helped Saito sit up. "What happened?" Asked Louise. "I don't know, it was like there's an invisible wall," said Saito, standing back up.
"That was Counter," said Derf. "It's a dirty bit of Nature Magic that reflects all sorts of physical and magical based attacks." "So there's nothing that works again him?" Asked Saito. Louise is struck with an idea, "Dispel!" "Good idea!" Saito replied, getting in a fighting stance. "Chant it, Louise. I'll buy you some time." "Right!" Louise points her wand and starts the incantation. The stranger launches more ground fragments and the boy, but he's able to deflect each one with blinding speed. Gotta love these runes, he thought.
The stranger began to launch more at a faster speed, and Saito began to struggle, the occasional fragment hitting part of his body. "Ow! Damn it!" He complained, they would certainly bruise up later. "Cast the Dispel on me!" Derf commanded. Louise obliged and pointed her wand at the sword. The blade starts to glow a bright blue as Saito surged forwards, swinging Derf at his foe. This time, it cut through the barrier, much to the stranger's shock, "What is the power!?" Saito pointed the tip of Derf in the man's face, prepared to make a final blow.
"Saito wait!" Tiffa called, catching him off guard. "Please, no more..." "What!?" Saito was incredulous. "But he took Tabitha, and attacked everyone else!!" "My mother taught me," she continued. "Elves do not fight by choice. I'm sure he has his reasons too." "Yeah, but-" "Saito, we're here to save Tabitha," said Louise, stepping forward. "If he's no longer in our way, then there's no reason to hurt him..." All at once, she became woozy and fell over into Tiffa's arms. "Louise!"
The elf sighed, "The girl is in the North Tower. It's locked with the power of the spirits, but I can have it unlocked." Saito grudgingly lowered the sword. "Let me warn you of one thing," the elf went on. "Joseph, King of Gallia, is a truly heartless man. This won't end it, so keep that in mind." Saito's eyes narrowed, " I'm counting on it."
