A few days earlier...
Kirche and Tabitha sat in a horse drawn carriage. Kirche stretched her head out the window and gasped. "Tabitha! Check it out! This beautiful country side! I can't help but be jealous that your home is so close to a place like this!"
Tabitha didn't respond. She continued to read her book as usual.
Feeling bored, Kirche stretched both her arms out. "Hey, Tabitha. It is a long awaited return home from school, shouldn't you be more happy? Since the school had given us a formal approval for our leave, it won't be counted as an absence and we don't have to worry about having to clean the tower or anything as punishment."
Tabitha continued to look at her book without answering.
I've been her friend for more than three years, and I still don't know what she is thinking, she thought sadly. Kirche decided to try and spark a different conversation. "This is the first time I learned that your homeland isn't Tristain, but Gallia. You are an exchange student like me, then?" Kirche had a vague sense that Tabitha's name was a pseudonym... But she had never asked her about the origin of her name. Tabitha. It was actually a quite common name. Even the commoners would use better names. It was the kind of name that could be given to a cat.
She had always thought that Tabitha was perhaps hiding that she belonged to a distinguished aristocrat family of Tristain, but it appeared she was wrong, she actually belonged to the nobility of the ancient Kingdom of Gallia that bordered with both Germania and Tristian.
The land of Halkeginia was prominent to the ocean and had a gentle arc, creating a giant peninsula. On the small peninsula in the south facing the sea, countries like Germania had to fight for local hegemony. The religious country of Romalia was involved in the fight over hegemony; the office of the pope advocated the beliefs of the Founder Brimir and the gods. Incidentally Cardinal Mazarini had come from Romalia.
Towards the east of Halkeginia, there was uncivilized ground where barbarians and demons lived. Further to the east was a vast desert where Elves who could reclaim the barren ground, were protecting the Holy Lands. If we could continue east, there was the unknown continent of Rub' al Khali.
Constantly floating above the ocean and the mainland of Halkeginia was the floating continent of Albion. Strictly speaking, Albion wasn't a part of the mainland of Halkeginia.
Kirche turned to ask Tabitha,"Why did you study abroad?"
However, Tabitha didn't reply to Kirche's words. She continued to sit and read her book as she had before. Then Kirche suddenly noticed something. The page in her book had not changed since the trip had started. Tabitha had been staring at the same identical page the entire time. Whatever her reasons were for studying abroad or returning home, she would wait till Tabitha told her about it by herself.
Even though they were of different ages they had become friends, and not just because they went to the same school. To become friends, there are things that the two sides shall not force the other to speak of. Tabitha who might not open her mouth very often. Kirche being concerned as a senior. Both of them had their own reason for passing through the border and having gone to Tristain.
As they traveled, Kirche recalled the various political situations of the countries. Although she had no interest in politics, with the rumors of war floating around she couldn't help but speculate within her mind. Gallia was still neutral and was staying silent over the invasion of Tristain by Albion. Even though a threat could be felt from the political change in Albion and their new government. A proposal of alliance was made by Tristain but it was rejected. It was very likely that they were going to maintain their neutrality as long as their own territory was safe. A rumor she had heard however hinted that Gallia was giving rise to its own domestic civil strife. With all these internal and external political problems it wasn't easy to imagine the headaches political rulers were facing. Even with this she continued to accompany Tabitha to the Kingdom of Gallia. Although they were traveling as tourists, Kirche had a bad premonition that the possibility of something going wrong was strong.
As she was thinking of this she absent-mindedly stuck her head out the window of the carriage. A line of horsemen appeared ahead of the carriage. Kirche's attention was drawn to this line of a little less than ten men. They moved at a slow pace. All of them were wearing hooded capes covering their faces. Kirche noticed that they were all carrying magic wands, they were nobles. Upon another look, the shape of their wands seemed to indicate that they were in fact soldiers. Because it was a time of war, this sort of thing was not unusual. Through a gap in the hooded cape of the lead horseman, she could see the face of one of the nobles. It was a handsome young man. She leaned her head on her hand and sighed. "A handsome guy, in the place where I am. Is it fate?" She looked at the man's face and couldn't help but feel that his was a familiar face."Where have I seen him before... Who is he?" she wondered aloud. She gazed on at him while he was still in sight. Her enthusiasm soon left when she could no longer see him, he soon became forgotten.
Kirche moved forward and looked at Tabitha. Her blue eyes hidden behind her glasses stared down at the same page of her book.
Gently putting her hand on Tabitha's shoulder, she said in her usual optimistic voice,"It doesn't matter. No matter what happens, I will be together with you."
So they continued to travel for two more days till they reached the frontier.
At the border checkpoint the guards read their papers and allowed them to enter through. Here was Gallia. The languages and the cultures of Gallia and Tristain resembled each other. They were also known as "the twin crowns".
When they arrived at the border crossing, the guards approached demanding proof for their trip. Holding huge spears the men opened the doors upon confirming Tabitha's and Kirche's travel permits. He looked at it and said hesitatingly,"The road up ahead can't be used anymore, you'll have to make a detour."
"Why, what's going on?"
"Because recently the lake overflowed and several roads are already completely flooded."
The Ragdorian Lake was a big lake that stretched along the border of Gallia and Tristain. It was the place with the most beautiful scenery in Halkeginia and had a reputation to match. It was even said a water spirit lived there
After advancing for a while along the road, they finally reached an open place. The road was located at the edge of a small number of gentle hills, and the widening of highways separated from the Ragdorian Lake. On the other side of the shore of the lake was Tristain.
As the guards had said, the water level of the lake seemed certainly to have gone up. Without even being able to see the border of the lake, they could witness that the water had already submerged some of the nearby hills. The flowers and the grass inundated by the water could be seen.
Tabitha closed the book and looked through the window to the outside.
"Is your home near here?"
"Soon." It was the first time Tabitha had opened her mouth ever since they had gotten in the carriage.
Turning onto a mountain road, the horse drawn carriage continued to advance forward to Tabitha's family home. They entered a forest and reached a place where many big oak trees were growing. Farmers were taking a rest in the shaded glade.
Kirche noticed a farmer with a few baskets of apples and called for the carriage to stop. Then she yelled out to the farmer.
"Those look like some delicious apples, for how much would you sell them to me?"
The farmer took an apple from the basket and passed it to Kirche in exchange for several silver coins.
"There is enough money here to buy all of the baskets I've harvested today!" the farmer said with surprise.
"Two will be enough."
Kirche took a bite into the apple as the farmer handed the second apple to her. Kirche quickly gave it to Tabitha. She went on to say, "This apple is really good. What is this piece of land called?"
"The area around Ragdorian is a direct control territory. As such, it doesn't have a name."
"Huh? Direct control territory?" Kirche said with some curiosity. Territory directly held and managed by the King. She looked at Tabitha briefly.
"This land is under direct rule by his highness, and we are his vassals." The farmer said smiling.
The land was truly fertile and seemed to be something out of a painting with its picturesque beauty. Why the King wanted the land was understandable. "This territory is ruled by your family... are you..."
After about ten minutes they could finally see Tabitha's house up ahead. It was an old feudal lord's mansion, splendidly built.
Kirche was looking at the carved crest that could be seen at the gate. She was breathless. The emblem was two magic wands intersecting and had the inscription "to advance". This was the Gallian royal family crest. However, while the carriage was approaching, a crack could be seen on the crest. It was a sign of dishonor. Although it meant that this was the royal family, they were stripped of their rights. The carriage stopped in front of the gates, and an old servant approached, bowed, and opened the door for Tabitha to come out.
"Miss, welcome back."
No other people came and it made Kirche feel as though it was deserted. She got down from the carriage while thinking this. Tabitha and Kirche arrived in the living room with guidance from the old servant.
The room was very neat, however it was strangely quiet, almost appearing lifeless. It looked like a temple preparing for a funeral. Kirche sat herself down on the living room sofa and said, "Can we first say hello to your father?"
However Tabitha shook her head. "Wait here." She then left the living room.
Kirche sat on the sofa and looked to her right as the old servant approached with wine and dessert and set them before her. But she didn't touch them and instead asked him directly,"This is her home, and yet it seems besides you no one else lives here."
"I'm the butler of the Orléans family, Percerin. Are you Miss Charlotte's friend?"
Kirche nodded. Charlotte d'Orléans seems to be Tabitha's real name. Orléans, Orléans, she kept thinking of the name, and then suddenly she thought of something. Orléans, isn't it the family name of the younger brother of the King of Gallia?
"Why is there a dishonor sign on the crest of this house?"
"It appears you are a foreigner, please forgive me, can I ask for your name?"
"I'm Germania's von Zerbst. By the way what on earth is this house? Why has Tabitha gone to study abroad using a fake name? Why when she was just a child?"
The butler listened to Kirche's questions and then sighed.
"The Miss calls herself Tabitha... I see... she has never brought a friend before. Since it's a person to whom she has opened herself, it shouldn't be a problem to tell you the story."
After that Percerin bowed deeply and then continued to talk.
"This residence is in fact a prison."
***Break***
Tabitha knocked at the door of the deepest room in the residence. There was no answer. It was normal here. Over the past five years, no one had ever opened the door when it was knocked on. At that time Tabitha was just ten years old. Tabitha opened the door. The inside of the room was of a different layout than the rest of the mansion. The only things in the room were a bed, the table, and a chair. Nothing else. The cool breeze flowed in through the open window. The curtains rippled as the wind pushed against them. The inside of the room wasn't disturbed by the intrusion. Holding a doll tightly with her hands. There was a thin and tall woman. What remained of her beautiful face was now gone because of a disease. She was between thirty five and forty years old, but she looked twenty years old.
She peeped at Tabitha with terrified eyes, just like a child. "Who is it?"
Tabitha bowed deeply while approaching the woman. "I have returned, mother."
However the woman didn't acknowledge Tabitha as her daughter. Not only that, but she also turned coldly to Tabitha and said,"Go away, you insolent girl! Are you a spy of the royal family? You want to snatch my beautiful daughter Charlotte from my hands? I will never give Charlotte to you!"
Tabitha didn't respond and kept her head bowed.
"How horrible to even pretend that this child would one day aim for the throne...I have had enough of dirty court life! We just want a quiet life... just leave me now!"
The mother threw the glass of water on the table at Tabitha. Tabitha didn't avoid it. It struck her head and rolled on the floor.
The mother returned to rubbing the doll's face. Part of its face was exposed and revealed the cotton underneath, most likely worn out from all the previous times the mother had rubbed it with her hand.
Tabitha revealed a sad smile, an expression she would only show in this room in front of her mother. "Your husband has been killed, that's why you are this way. I will be leaving now, but I will come back sooner or later. Until that day, please pray for your daughter's doll's safety."
The wind blew into the room through the open windows, shaking the curtains. Even though it was early summer, the wind that blew from the lake was chilly.
***Break***
"A victim of a succession fight?" When Kirche asked, Percerin nodded.
"Yes, it happened five years ago with the death of the King. He left behind two crown princes. The one on the throne now is the eldest son, Joseph. Miss Charlotte's father, the Duke of Orleans, was the second son."
"So she really does belong to the royal family..."
"The Duke of Orleans was talented and loved by all and appeared as a qualified ruler in the eyes of the people, even though he had to meet hardships being the second son. Because of this, many people supported the Duke and wanted him to take the throne. The palace was then divided into two factions, launching into an ugly struggle for power. Finally, the Duke of Orleans was murdered. He was struck in the chest with a poisoned arrow. A person who was nobler than anyone else in this country was killed not by magic, but by a poisoned arrow. The regret and the indignation were unimaginable. However the tragedy was far from over." Percerin took a deep breath and continued. "Next those who made Joseph the King started targeting the Miss. They wanted to stamp out the source of any possible future trouble or reprisals. These people summoned Madame and the Miss to a banquet in their honor. However they had poisoned the Miss' drink. Madame had realized this, and in order to protect the Miss, drank it herself. A magic which breaks one's mind had been cast on the water. Since then, Madame has been insane."
Kirche, shocked and at a loss for words, was listening to the butler's confession.
"Since then, the Miss sealed away her words and expressions. Miss Charlotte originally was lively and bright, a different person than she is now. However it is understandable. Anyone who would witness their mother going mad would become like that. The others, knowing they had failed and in order to protect themselves, sent a royal order to Miss Charlotte. The task was extremely difficult, no one had been able to accomplish it. However the Miss did complete the task and pledged her loyalty to the royal family, to protect them. But Miss Charlotte was still treated coldly by the royal family. Normally this achievement would have been enough to deserve a territory, but instead she was granted the title of Chevalier and was forced to study abroad. The Madame stayed here at the house, in the current condition she is in." Percerin bit his lip with regrets.
"Then...! Whenever the royal family had a difficult task to be done, they asked her to do their dirty work? Her father was killed, her mother was poisoned and driven insane, and she is led and directed by her personal enemies like a beast of burden! I never knew something could be as tragic as this, how people could be so cruel to this level." Kirche demanded. "What inhuman monsters are these? You can't call these people, yet alone nobles!"Kirche now realized why Tabitha had remained silent. On their travels she had remained staring at the same page in her book. Her runic name was 'Snowstorm'. Cold wind had been blowing inside her heart and it still hadn't ceased. This cold feeling she felt, Kirche thought, was unimaginable.
"Didn't you say that the Miss introduces herself as Tabitha?"
"Yes."
"Madame was a very busy person, however, the young Miss kept an open and bright disposition. The young Miss was in fact quite lonely. Madame had gone into the city and had selected a doll especially for the young Miss during her busy schedule. The Miss was very happy and treated it as though it were a sister. Now the doll is in the hands of Madame. Because of the current state of her mind, she believes the doll to be Miss Charlotte."
Kirche was startled.
"Tabitha. That is the name the young Miss gave to the doll."
Suddenly the door opened and Tabitha walked in. The butler bowed, hiding his painful expression and handed her a letter from the royal family. "These are the instructions from the royal family."
Tabitha removed the seal after receiving the letter and began to read it casually. When she had finished reading it she nodded lightly.
"When do you intend to begin?"
Tabitha answered as if she was just scheduling a stroll. "Tomorrow."
"Understood, I will convey this to the envoys. I wish you safety on your completion of this task."
The butler bowed solemnly and left the room. Tabitha walked over to Kirche.
"Wait here."
Kirche shook her head. "Sorry, I heard everything, I'm also coming."
"Dangerous."
"I can't let you go alone."
Tabitha didn't answer. However she lowered her head lightly.
***Break***
That night the two slept together in the same room. As soon as Tabitha had hit the bed, she had fallen asleep. Kirche was sleepless and lay on the sofa with one hand under the pillow.
Tabitha had explained to Kirche what the task would require of her, and asked Kirche if she would indeed come.
"Although I promised... this certainly will be no ordinary task." It was very likely that they could die attempting to complete this task. But as a noble, the risk of death had always been in the not so distant future. Compared to that, she was more worried about this child. What incredible loneliness this child might have endured?
Tabitha was turning over in her bed. With her glasses now gone, her sleeping face was the one of an innocent young girl. It didn't show that she was shouldering unhappiness that didn't suit her age, the distinguished services that had conferred her the title of Chevalier and the difficult assignments that she had to complete.
"Mom." Tabitha muttered in her sleep. Kirche's shoulders reacted to the word. "Mom, don't drink it. Mom."
Tabitha called for her mother many times while sleeping. Her forehead constantly kept sweating with more intensity after each call.
Kirche gently stood up, laid on the bed next to Tabitha, embracing her closely. Tabitha buried her head in Kirche's chest. Her heartbeat passed on to Tabitha as they lay there, it might have felt like a mother's.
Tabitha soon became calm again, her night sweat leaving her.
As for Kirche, she thought that she somehow understood the reason why Tabitha treated her as a friend. Her heart hadn't been totally frozen, some warmth still remained within it. Only the ice wind that flowed blocked it. She might have felt that the fire inside Kirche could melt it. Kirche, while slowly falling asleep, said in a gentle manner,"Hey Charlotte. The 'Ardent' warms and melts everything, so you can rest at ease." a thought came to her and she spoke softly," Zero... He can fix this. He has defeated an army. He can fix this, right? He has to..." Kirche thought of Zero, his need to protect them. He'd saved their lives before. Her beloved would save Tabitha wouldn't he?
"Do not call in Zero for this. At least not yet. It is not yet time for that to happen," a soft male voice said from the shadows.
Kirche gasped and turned her head to look in the direction of the voice. The person who she saw was shrouded in the shadows, although a light haze of light seemed to cause a silhouette. The light seemed somehow soothing, as it rotated between colors. She noticed that he was wearing either a cloak or a robe of some kind. "Who are you?"
"I'm nobody important. You could say... That I'm just a fairy. Just someone who wants to help. But as it stands, Zero is not yet ready to take on this task. You are to tell him nothing, understand?"
"How can I trust you if you won't tell me anything?" Kirche whispered sleepily, while she held Tabitha protectively. She wanted to be suspicious, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to distrust the man.
"You can't. All you can do is trust my information on Zero. As he stands now the amount of collateral damage that would happen should he find out about this would be far, far more than acceptable. If he finds the true extent of this corruption as he is now... Its best not to say. But you must not tell him. Have faith that he'll figure it all out on his own. I know I do." The figured finished, a voice heavy with regret, then the figure disappeared, leaving Kirche to fall asleep, wondering if it had all been a dream.
***Break***
Zero had begun questioning Kirche, who was roasting meat with Tabitha around a bonfire. Guiche appeared to be completely content and had been talking loudly to himself with a glass of wine in his hand. He seemed only too content to be traveling. It was well past midnight, and the twin moons glittered beautifully over the surface of the lake. It was a wonderful sight.
"You are really good, we stood no chance." Kirche said as she looked at Zero.
"You didn't really have too much chance after that first shot. That charged buster shot I used knocked you off your feet. I'm actually surprised you guys managed to get your wands up in time. Against anyone but me you could have caused some serious damage."
Kirche proudly brushed up her hair. Complements from Zero always made her proud. And he had been so humble, but she knew that he had dominated them. He was a force of nature. He couldn't be stopped, yet he showed this much respect.
"But why are you attacking the Water Spirit?" Zero asked, sitting near the bonfire.
"Why do you need to protect it?" Kirche countered.
Louise, who had been nestling up to Zero's back for some time, pulled his arm. "Zero... You're wearing your armor again... I told you to stop that. While you're handsome in it... I can't hold you!"
"Well, there was a fight Louise. And It is safer to use armor when fighting like this. If I wasn't in my armor I'd be more vulnerable. Right Kirche?" He asked, as he looked at her.
"That's right. Better to keep you safe Zero," she said with a smile on her face.
"Zero..." Louise said in a pathetically depressed voice. "Do you think Kirche is better than me?"
"No - that's not true! I didn't say anything like that. Why don't you get some sleep?"
"No way, I don't need to rest! Don't you want to talk with me? That is the 32nd time you've told me to sleep today."
It seemed as if Louise had been counting the words Zero had said to her. Although a little scary, Zero had to wonder just how powerful this love potion was that cause her to obsess over him to this degree. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and spoke as if she was a small child: "We can talk afterwards, you should go to sleep. Its been a very hard day, with a lot more traveling than you're used to."
Louise was bashfully tracing circles with her finger on Zero's chest.
"Then... promise me with a kiss."
"What...?"
"Kiss me or I won't go to sleep."
Kirche's stared at them, her mouth agape. Looking at each other, Guiche and Montmorency giggled. Kirche and Tabitha were still unaware of what had happened.
Zero reluctantly kissed Louise's cheek.
"Cheek isn't enough!" Louise puffed up her cheeks and muttered bluntly.
Zero felt extremely awkward, it would be too embarrassing to kiss Louise straight on the lips with everyone watching. He worried for a while and finally kissed her forehead, the same place as before... Louise was reluctantly satisfied, and crawled into his lap, resting herself between his knees and pressing her body against his chest she closed her eyes. Soon her breathing slowed and light snores escaped from her slightly open pink lips.
"How did you manage to domesticate Louise to this degree? I didn't think you were the kind of guy who would entice a girl, yet she is already treating you like a god! Either that, or she's acting like some kind of kitten. Either way I must say you've impressed me darling." Kirche said in admiration.
"It's not like that, Montmorency made a love potion and Louise accidentally drank it. The first person she saw was me and now she has fallen in love with me."
"Love potion? Why did you make such a thing?" Kirche asked Montmorency, who was nibbling some meat.
"Oh, I was just curious to see if I could do it." Montmorency had sidestepped the question with a trivial answer...
"Really, a woman who has no confidence in her charms is the worst. Don't you agree?" Kirche said, a smirk on her face.
"Go die! Anyways, it's all Guiche's fault, if he had taken it we would not need to search for the antidote now!"
"Are you saying it's my fault to begin with?" Guiche demanded.
Zero explained the situation to Kirche. In order to make the antidote, they needed the Water Spirit's tears. And in exchange for it they needed to repel the attackers...
"So that was it, that's why you are protecting the Water Spirit?" Kirche looked awkwardly towards Tabitha who had been staring into the fire with a glazed expression. "This is bad; we can't fight you, but if we don't stop the Water Spirit, Tabitha's family will be in trouble..."
"Why is it necessary to get rid of her? Is something wrong with Tabitha's family? Did she attack them?" Zero asked with some concern.
Prompted by Zero, Kirche replied hesitantly. She could not openly tell the private matters of Tabitha's family for sure. Somehow, that fairy from the night before... She trusted him. She still couldn't tell herself why, but she just did. "You see, the water levels have caused damage to the surrounding area. Tabitha's family has suffered losses because of the damage so we have been entrusted to get rid of it."
So that was it. They couldn't go home empty handed. Then how should they handle it... Zero considered it for a while and concluded. "That's fine, you can stop attacking the Water Spirit and we can find out why the Water Spirit is raising the water level so much and tell it to stop."
"The Water Spirit will listen to us?"
"This morning we negotiated with it and it agreed to give us a part of its body if we stop the attackers."
Kirche considered for a second and asked Tabitha, "As long as the floods stop and the land is restored to its original condition would that be ok?"
Tabitha nodded.
"Great, it's decided! We can carry out the negotiations tomorrow!"
***Break***
Early the next morning, Montmorency, like the previous day, released her small frog familiar into the lake to call the Water Spirit. The water parted and the Water Spirit rose up through the morning mist.
Kirche looked on in wonder at the beautiful girl made of water who had risen up in front of them. A strangled sound from Zero grabbed her attention, and she turned to look at him. His face looked torn with emotion.
"Water spirit..." Zero said, his voice low."Do not take that form. Please, I can't bare to see Iris, even like this..."
Kirche looked at the beautiful form the water spirit had taken. Was this the form of the mysterious Iris? She was beautiful... that much was certain...
"I can not help it God of Destruction. In your presence I feel fear. In that fear I take the only shape that I know that will ensure my safety. I can not take another form while you are here."
"The attackers won't bother you anymore. We kept our part of the bargain," Zero said, his voice heavy. As he finished talking, the Water Spirit's body trembled and a portion of its body was repelled as a thin line into the vial Guiche was holding.
Its promise completed, the Water Spirit sunk back towards the lake, however Zero quickly called for it to stop. "Wait! I have something to ask you!"
The Water Spirit rose up from the water's surface. "What is it you wish to know, God of Destruction?"
"Why have you raised the water? If there is a reason can you tell us? We would be willing to help if you can stop it."
The Water Spirit's hands clasped themselves in front of her chest. Her face looked troubled."I will consider entrusting this task to you. Since you honored our previous contract, I believe I can trust you." Suddenly seeming angry, the Water Spirit paused. Zero said nothing, but waited for the spirit to continue.
"A long time ago, one of their kind stole one of my treasures."
"A treasure?"
"Yes, my most important possession was stolen from the deepest part of my lake, about thirty months before the moon's crossing."
"Approximately two years ago..." Montmorency murmurs.
"Are you trying to take revenge on the humans by increasing the water level and flooding villages?"
"Vengeance? Our kind does not have that purpose. I am simply trying to retake my treasure, and even if it takes an eternity water will slowly erode the land. Even if I must sink the entire continent I will regain what I have lost."
"You're willing to do so much? Is it truly that important?" Zero asked. "Or is it that dangerous?"
"Your wisdom shows, God of Destruction. The ring is important to me, and it is as dangerous as it is important. It has the power to control life. I was charged to guard it. I made an oath to ensure I kept it safe."
"You sure are patient." Zero said as he shook his head.
"Our concept of time is different, for me the whole of the future is the same as the present. All time is the same to me, regardless of the present the future will always come. It makes no difference as I will always exist."
The Water Spirit did not seem to have the concept of death. Time on this scale would be unimaginable to a human. Even to a reploid of his age, time still meant something to Zero. "Well, we can help you retrieve your treasure. What is it?"
"My treasure is the Ring of Andvari, it had been with me until now."
"I think I have heard of it." Montmorency muttered. "A legendary magic item of the water. It is said to give false life to the deceased..."
"That is not incorrect, but death is a concept that I do not understand, therefore I cannot understand your description. The Ring of Andvari does not simply bring false life, it is the embodiment of the ancient "Strength of the Water", it is not simply a magical item. It uses the true power of water, which is to create life! If someone who is corrupt gets the strength of water... That must not be allowed! The oath must be kept."
"Then who stole such a thing?" Kirche wondered.
"Using wind magic, several humans came into my dwelling. They did not disturb me in my slumber and took away my most prized possession."
"So you don't know their names?" Zero asked.
"One of the people went by the name Cromwell."
Kirche said to herself, "If I haven't misunderstood, he is the new Emperor of Albion."
Everyone but Zero could not help but look at each other in dismay.
"Could he be a different person? There could be two people with the same name... If he has gained the power of false life, what will he use it for?"
"Those who are revived have their freedom stolen. They must obey the owner of the ring." the spirit said gravely.
"It is a truly evil ring, animating the dead is a disgusting power." Kirche said in a low voice. Kirche continued to mutter to herself, she felt as if she should have remembered something but couldn't grasp the thought.
Zero nodded with a firm resolution, and turned towards the Water Spirit. "I understand. Please stop raising the water level and I guarantee you I will return your ring."
The Water Spirit vibrated. A joyful expression crossed her face. It schooled itself to neutrality as it seemed to notice the pain on Zero's face. "I believe you, if you promise to bring back the ring, then I will lower the water."
"Then when should I bring it back to you?" Zero asked her. "I promise I'll get it back, but I need to know what limits I have."
This time the Water Spirit shook and trembled. "Before your life ends, otherwise I am unconcerned."
"You don't mind such a long time?"
"I don't care, to me tomorrow is no different from any other part of the future." After saying this, the Water Spirit returned to the depths of the lake.
In that moment, Tabitha stopped it by calling out. "Please wait." Everyone stared at Tabitha in surprise. Although she had been with them all this time, this was the first time she had spoken out. "Water Spirit, I wish to ask you something."
"What is your question?"
"We humans have always called you the "Spirit of Oath', I would like to know the reason."
"Mere human, my and your existence are completely dissimilar. I cannot understand your question completely, but I can speculate. My existence in itself is the reason for this name. I do not have a fixed shape, yet I will never change. For uncountable generations I have always been here with the water." The Water Spirit, trembling, spoke. The sound rang in the air.
"Because you are eternally unchanging, therefore you will forever carry our hopes." Tabitha nodded, then shut her eyes.
'In the end, who had she made an oath to?' Kirche wondered. Kirche gently put a hand on her shoulder.
Montmorency immediately poked Guiche.
"What?"
"Quickly, make an oath too."
"What oath?"
"What did you think I made the Love potion for anyways?"
"Mmm! Ah... I swear that I will consider Montmorency above all others from this point forward..."
She poked Guiche again.
"Oww... Ah...! Really! I swear!"
"I don't want to be above others, I want to be the only. Swear you love only me!"
Guiche forced sad words out in a tone that most people would find hard to believe. "I swear..."
Louise had also pulled on Zero's sleeve, her eyes were gazing up at him.
"You too - swear to me."
Zero looked into Louise's face. The stricken look that met her eyes was too much for her to handle.
"Swear Zero. Swear to me, that you'll forgive yourself," Louise said as she looked at her familiar. "I don't care if you swear your heart to me. I'll get it in time. But I can't stand this pain you're in. Swear that you'll forgive yourself. Swear that you won't let Iris's death keep you from finding happiness."
Zero just looked at her, then turned his eyes from her.
"You are not willing to swear to me? Even if its not for me, wouldn't Iris want you to swear? Wouldn't that be something she would ask of you? If you two were truly in love, wouldn't she want you to live better than this?" Louise demanded as she beat her fist against his chest.
"Sorry... I cannot swear to you... I cannot make a promise that I might not be able to keep." When Zero said this, she began to cry as she clung to him. Zero gently stroked her head.