Want some steroids? No? Good. If you said yes then who do you think I am? I'm the writer! Not the dealer! Wait...yup. Not me. But that guy over there, he got some stuff. Avoid that guy. Why are you all leaving for him? Come back!
Anyway, welcome back my friends! How have you been? I hope you've been well. I have been good too. Before we start this, thank you all for favoriting, following and reviewing! Before the reviews, I have something to say. Pay respects for our man, Colbert. I'd say press F for respect, but I don't think many will. Respect to our fallen Colbert. He died off screen...you know, while protecting the Tristain Academy girls.
OechsnerC: Thanks again!
Ju: Thank you, I reread it and I think it could have been delivered better, but it is nice.
Chapter 43: Return Of The Second Squadron
Minutes go by in tense silence. Louise has gathered enough will to use her spell by now. It's only a matter of when they arrive. Which seems to be now.
In their sights is the port to Dartanes. The reason for the deaths of the Dragon Knights. Yuudai only grits his teeth biting back the urge to open fire on the place. Louise gently taps on his shoulder gaining his attention.
"Fly up." She instructs.
He nods changing the position of the throttle. The jet flies straight up slowing down the nitrous. Louise proceeds to open the hatch being careful not to fall. She holds the Founder's Book in her hands starting the chant.
Yuudai looks down at the city awaiting the explosion. However, it never comes. He looks to his other side finding the entire fleet right there. The fleet that should be halfway across the continent by now.
Yuudai levels the jet letting Louise close the hatch. "What did you do?" Yuudai asks his master.
"All I did was cast an illusion spell. That way they will think we decided to attack Dartanes while the real fleet attacks Rosais." Louise explains to him.
Despite his bad mood, he smiles. "You managed to do something without making an explosion out of it." Yuudai says. "I'm proud of you."
A tick mark pops up on her forehead. "I should hit you for that, but since you complimented your master like a proper familiar, I'll let it slide." She retorts acting arrogant again.
"Remember who is flying this thing." Yuudai says. "One move and we both go down."
The two of them laugh a little bit in an attempt to regain a little bit of their past dynamic. Having amusing jabs at each other to lighten the mood. It isn't as easy this time though. People have died for them this time. Even Louise can't forget that easily.
"Colbert gave me a letter before we left." Yuudai tells Louise after a few minutes of silence. For some reason, his mind becomes sad saying the name. He doesn't know why yet. "Can you read it for me?"
Louise looks up. "Sure." She answers. Yuudai passes the letter to her reading through it. "Before I start, he mentions his invention that got us away from the other dragons. That and another invention we haven't used yet." (Sorry for the next long paragraph.)
[Yuudai, was my inventions useful? If it is so, then I am glad. For you…no, to all students, not just as a teacher, it would make me happy if it would be of any use to you. Very happy. Now, why did I decide to write this letter today – I have a request. No, nothing weird. And be relieved it is not about money either. As to what this discourse is about, it is some dream of mine. That things, which one can only do by magic, could be done by technologies that everyone could use. Have you seen? Happy Little Snake. Well, that certainly is not just a toy…I hope that there will be a use for every splendid technology some day. It is my dream. Let's get to it, though I'm still worrying whether to say it or not…In the past, I committed a crime. Too big of a crime. It is so big that it will never be forgiven. As a redemption for this crime I have devoted myself to research. Recently I realized something. No, my crime will never be forgiven. Even if my inventions are useful…it won't erase the crime I committed. Therefore, I want you to promise me one thing. Look, you will be facing a lot of difficult situations. And you will go into war, and you will see many people die. But…do not get used to it. Do not become accustomed to people's death. Do not think that it is natural. The moment you do that – something will break. I do not want you to become like me. Therefore, I ask repeatedly. Do not become accustomed to war. Do not become accustomed to killing each other. Do not become accustomed to death.]
Louise finishes for a moment feeling much more emotional than before. The end of it...she feels much more sad now like Yuudai. As if the very spirit of Colbert was with them (Let's pay our respects to Colbert, shall we?).
"Colbert...what is Happy Little Snake?" Yuudai asks deciding on the lighter topic first.
Louise opens one of the storage places in the plane letting a little snake pop out. It's a cute little thing with no real use. The two stare at the thing. Why?
"I love it." Yuudai states out of nowhere. His grim expression turns into an amused smile.
"I...I do too." Louise agrees giving it a small smile.
"When we see Colbert again, we must thank him for the snake." The teen boy says.
"Wait. There is a bit more we must read." Louise tells him.
[Well, my request is coming to an end. Remember, what you said to me once? That you came from a different world. In this world of yours, the flying machines that you use pierce the sky, and technology is much better developed than in Halkeginia, right? This is what I would like to see. I could use it in my research. Therefore, when you go east…I want you to take me with you. No, I am not joking. Seriously. Therefore, do not die. Return alive absolutely. Even if I can't go to the east with you. P.S. In that world, are there "cars" that everyone can use and they drive them on the roads? Are there little boxes with which one can communicate over long distances? Has a person really reached the moon? To be able to do that without magic, it must be really wonderful. I want to see that kind of world.]
Yuudai shakes his head with a smile. "He's asking such an odd question. However, he has done so much for me. I can't deny the guy." Yuudai reasons to himself.
"Wouldn't that mean going to your world again?" Louise asks fearing his potential departure.
"No. I already promised myself to not leave. I'll just let him go to my world before finding a way to close the gateway between our worlds." Yuudai replies getting rid of her fear. They fall into a much more peaceful silence after that.
Almost an half hour later, they finally catch sight of the Varsenda. It is dusk at the moment. Before he lands, Yuudai looks deep into the sun set of dusk. It is stunning.
"I can't believe this beautiful sunset is happening on such a tragic day." Yuudai mutters lost in the moment.
"Keep your mind on landing." Louise orders her familiar.
He brings himself back to landing the plane. The knights help him land again quickly. Once on deck, the both of them leave for their room without a word. Even to some familiar faces from when he fist fought the dragon. They just kept walking to their room.
[Volume 7] One Week Later
"So...about that so called, women need time to prepare, thing." Yuudai starts sitting at the corner of inside a tent.
It has been a week since their mission in Dartanes. During that time, they had taken control of Rosais turning it into an outpost. Seeing as most of Albion's fleet was still in Dartanes, it wasn't a difficult task.
The two are in a tent that one would consider luxurious. At least, to the fleet of theirs. Most don't even get one. Having a tent would usually go to someone of high regard such as a general. They gave it to Louise since she was their secret weapon.
"Don't you dare say it." Louise orders him shivering in the cold. Yuudai shrugs letting the chilled air say everything for him. The fact that she has nothing on besides her cape as a blanket. "Damn you, dog. Why didn't you remind me to pack pajamas?" She asks grumbling.
"Because I thought you would be a bit more thoughtful since you took so long packing." Yuudai replies not even looking at her. Though he might be in a war, he still has enough of respect to not take advantage and stare.
"If I had my whip I'd punish you right now." Louise states with a tick mark on her forehead.
Yuudai sweat drops. "I'd rather you didn't turn this into something weird."
Louise tilts her head confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, don't turn this into one of your ki-" He goes to reply, but the back of his head is hit by one of her boots. The familiar rubs the back of his now sore head. "I deserved that one."
"Admitting your mistakes? Maybe I knocked some manners into you." Louise says smirking.
It is moments like these that keep the two from falling into a deep depression. With all the death around them, it has been hard to joke around. Yuudai lets out a sigh.
"I wish there was something to do." Yuudai complains feeling bored.
Suddenly wind blows through the room surprising the both of them. Yuudai is quickly out of the tent with Derflinger on his back. Louise peaks out of the tent to find Yuudai staring is shock. A little past him seems to be some Dragon Knights.
She squints her eyes finding them to be familiar. Her mind races coming up with the answer. Louise's shock shows as well. It's the Dragon Knights from the Second Squadron that was supposedly all killed.
"How...are you alive?" Yuudai asks the group.
"It's a long story." The leader of them replies rubbing the back of his head. The boy realizes that Louise isn't walking out of the tent for some reason. His mind then assumes the most perverted possibility. "However, it seems you, my dragon fighter friend, was in the middle of something."
Louise grows another tick mark on her head. Yuudai shakes his head instantly. "I wouldn't even think of doing anything like your perverted mind is thinking to her!" Yuudai exclaims without hesitation. Louise grows even more tick marks. "Despite the long story, please tell me."
"Well...no...we aren't too sure how either. It's mostly blurry." The leader tells him.
This doesn't bother Louise since they are alive, but it bothers Yuudai. His memory of Wales becoming a walking slave to Albion flashes through his head. Yuudai's suspicion is already high now. He hates thinking this about them, but it's very plausible.
Some senior Dragon Knight officers walk out of their tent not even a second later. Upon seeing the 'dead' Dragon Knight squadron widens their eyes to the point of popping out. Their reaction isn't surprising since it has been a week since their death. That and they had been deep in enemy territory, they still are, and had managed to return.
The senior officers bring the group into the tent of Count Kirnumel, the commander of the Second Dragon Knight Group, in charge of all three dragon knight squadrons. The count is the first to open his arms and welcome the return of these warriors, who had miraculously survived.
"This really is incredible! A miraculous survival!" Kirnumel states happily.
However, the only one not excited stands right next to the now dressed Louise. Yuudai takes all he knows into account. Albion's deceit isn't exactly unknown and their brutality isn't exactly a secret either. Therefore, he keeps his thoughts unspoken for now. Just in case they are now zombies of Albion now.
End
There is the end! How was it? I hope it was good. I really do.
Sorry about the volume in the middle of the chapter. Once again, I found myself finishing a volume before a chapter. Tragic as it may be. If you have any questions, you know I answer every review or pm.
Anyway, thanks for reading, favoriting, following, reviewing and have a great day/night/morning!