Two boys stared in shock at the Dragon's Raiment. The two being Kai and Saito.
The group was in the temple near Tarbes, where the Dragon's Raiment was held. The temple looked somewhat familiar. The temple was in the corner of a field. Its doors made by ancient logs joined together, and the walls were made from rotting wood and mortar.
Though the building itself was decaying, the Dragon's Raiment didn't have a speck of rust on it. It looked as if it were just made.
Kirche and Guiche looked at the Dragon's Raiment in disappointment. Tabitha only looked at the object in curiosity. Leaning on the doors to the temple, Tropod had his arms crossed. Kai and Saito stared at the Dragon's Raiment in complete disbelief.
"Saito, are you okay? I'm sorry if this upset you..." Siesta had a worried voice, but Saito didn't reply.
"Of course this thing can't fly!" Kirche was done with treasure hunting.
Guiche nodded. "This has to be some sort of canoe, right? Those wings don't look like they can even move. It's like a toy bird. So much for that..." Guiche was convinced he was right.
Saito feverishly turned to Siesta as Kai started inspecting the Dragon's Raiment closer.
"Siesta."
"Y-Yes?" Siesta had a blush on her face from how close Saito was.
"Did the man who owned this leave anything else behind?"
"Um... I think the only other noteworthy thing would be his grave."
"Could you show it to me?"
ㅤ
The grave was located in the village's cemetery. Most of the tombstones were made from white stones, but one lone black tombstone lay amongst them. That was the one they were looking for.
Writing was on that tombstone.
"I think he made his tombstone before he died. It's written in a different language, so no one was able to read it..." Siesta's voice was full of curiosity.
Saito began to read. "Navy ensign Sasaki Takeo rests in another world."
"What?" Siesta's eyes widened.
Saito quickly looked over Siesta making her blush.
That nostalgic feeling when he saw her... so that's why!
"Siesta, were you told that you looked similar to your ancestor?"
Siesta was surprised. "Y-Yes! How did you know that?"
ㅤ
Going back to the temple, Saito touched the Dragon's Raiment. When he did, the runes on his hand began to shine.
Seeing Saito's hand shining, Kai started to get excited. He touched the Dragon's Raiment as well, and... Nothing happened.
"Huh?"
He touched it again. Still nothing.
"Wh... Wha..." His voice was full of disappointment.
Gandalfr's power was split.
Kai's eyes widened as it clicked. Saito was surprised by Wardes' betrayal, which meant he probably couldn't see Louise's view, but, in turn, Kai couldn't use a modern weapon.
While Kai started sulking, Saito inspected the Dragon's Raiment closer. He soon found the fuel tank, but, as expected, it was empty. It still seemed functional, but without gas, it couldn't fly.
How did he get into Halkeginia with this plane...
Saito wanted to chase that ancient trail.
Siesta walked into the temple from her parent's home. "Everyone was surprised since I'm two weeks earlier than I said I would be."
She quickly walked to Saito's side. "My father said that a will was left behind as well."
"A will?"
"Yes. If someone who could read the inscription on the tomb appeared, give him the Dragon's Raiment."
"That means... it's mine now?"
"Yes. Father said it was all right to give it to you. It was a bother to take care of... It's big and there are people who come and worship it... but it's just collecting dust here."
"Well, I won't hesitate then."
"Father also wanted me to tell you something."
"What was it?"
"He said that you should return the Dragon's Raiment to the king. King... I wonder which one he means. We don't even know which country my ancestor was from..."
"He's from my country."
"Really? So that's why you could read the words on the tomb. My ancestor was from the same country as Saito... It seems like fate." She let out a happy sigh. "Then he really did fly the Dragon's Raiment."
"This isn't called the Dragon's Raiment."
"What is it called?"
Saito took a moment. He felt even more nostalgic seeing his country's symbol on the side of it. "It's called a Zero Fighter. It was a fighter plane that my country used to use."
"Zero Fighter? Plane? Like the one you mentioned before?"
Saito nodded.
ㅤ
That day, they all stayed at Siesta's home. Since nobles were staying, the village chief came to greet them. Siesta introduced Saito to her entire family. Her father, mother, and siblings. Siesta was the oldest of eight. Her parents were harsh on Saito at first, but were delighted once they learned that he had been watching over her at the academy. Seeing her with her family made Saito envious. Thinking about it, everyone had their family. Louise, Guiche, Kirche, and Tabitha... He had his, but couldn't see them. Even though he wanted to see them again, he wouldn't even know where to start.
In the evening, Saito stared at the wide field. The sun was starting to set behind the mountains past the field. Just as Siesta had said, flowers were blooming everywhere. This is what Siesta wanted to show me.
The Zero Fighter's pilot who ended up in this world probably tried to find a way home by flying, but his fuel ran out and he landed in this field. Landing would be easy since it was so wide and flat. But still, the Zero Fighter wasn't made hundreds of years ago...
Siesta walked up to Saito who was drowning in memories of his world. She was wearing a brown skirt, wooden shoes, and a dark green shirt instead of her usual maid attire.
"So that's where you are! Dinner's ready. Father insists we eat together." Siesta seemed more shy than usual. "I... did ask you to visit, but I never expected it to really happen."
Siesta stretched her arms out before the field in front of them. The setting sun bathed the field in a beautiful light.
"Isn't this field amazing? This is what I wanted to show you, Saito."
"It really is."
Siesta looked down as she messed with her fingers. "My father said that meeting with someone who came from the same country as our ancestor must be fate. He asked if you could settle in the village. And then said that if you did then I... could stop working for the academy and return with you."
Saito didn't reply. He simply stared at the sky. Siesta had been too kind to him. If she was any nicer, his heart would melt. When he saw her happily talking to her family, an indescribable loneliness invaded his mind. After seeing the Zero Fighter his loneliness only grew since he was thinking about his home.
Siesta looked at Saito who was still staring at the sky, and smiled. "But, it's all right. I know it won't work out. You're like a bird. You're bound to fly away someday."
Saito decided to tell Siesta the truth. "Your ancestor said he came from the east, right?"
"Um... I think?"
"Your ancestor, like Kai and I, wasn't born in this world."
"You're from Rub' al Khali, right?"
Saito shook his head. "It's much further than that." His tone was dead serious. "It's a different world. I'm not from this world."
"You're just messing with me, aren't you? If you don't like me, just say it." Siesta pouted her lips.
"No, that's not it. I'm not messing with you."
"Is there someone waiting for you there?"
"No, but my family is waiting. I'll have to leave this world someday." Saito turned to Siesta with a weak look on his face. "That's why I can't do what you mentioned."
Seeing his serious face, Siesta knew he wasn't joking.
"I can protect people while I'm here, but that's it. I don't have the right to be with anyone. I don't."
"But... my ancestor did, didn't he?"
"He didn't have the power that I do. This power... I feel as though it will guide me."
"Then... Can I wait for you? I don't have any good qualities, but I can wait. If you do your best to find a way home and you still don't, then..."
If that really happened... what would I do?
Saito's pulse started to quicken just by looking at Siesta. She was cute and stunning. She's kind and could cook. She's a great girl... All the more reason he couldn't promise.
Siesta smiled a sad smile, but regained her composure. "A carrier owl just sent this. It seems like the teachers are very angry. Miss Zerbst and Mr. Gramont were pale. They mentioned me as well. They said that I could have a holiday for the time being. The princess' wedding is coming soon anyway. So until the holiday ends, I'll be here."
Saito nodded.
"Um... So can you make the Dragon's Raiment fly?"
"I'm not sure. I have to talk it over with someone first. If I do get it to fly, I want to go to the east. There must be a hint there." Saito watched the field get darker from the setting sun.
"Really? If you could get it to fly, then it would be wonderful. The Dragon's Raiment was called a Zero Fighter, right? If you get it to fly, then please let me ride it just once."
Saito nodded. "I'll let you ride it as much as you'd like. It was your families' to begin with."
ㅤ
In the nearby forest, Kai was sitting down with his legs crossed and eyes closed. Standing over him was Tropod, coaching him how to meditate properly.
"Make sure you completely clear your mind."
Kai had a completely tranquil look on his face. Not a single thought went through his empty mind.
Seeing the boy's fast progress, Tropod smiled.
After quite some time, Kai opened his eyes and started panting. "Hah... Sorry, couldn't keep that up anymore..." Looking around, it was already starting to get dark.
"I'm impressed. You said that you started fighting around a month ago, but you're already at where most people could only dream to be."
Leaning back, Kai let out a sigh. "Yeah, but still, I need to get stronger."
Tropod closed his eyes. There was so much to teach the boy, but so little time. His friends were leaving the next day, but Kai had decided that he'd stay behind to train with him a little longer. It would probably be a few days at max, so their time training would be brief.
"Strength isn't everything in a fight."
Kai shrugged. "Yeah, I know that, but still, power is the biggest point to winning a fight. Like, fifty percent of it comes down to power."
Tropod shook his head. "That's not true in the slightest. A fight depends on many different variables. Power is important, but, just like power, if you possess more skill than the opponent, then you'd win, even with a lack of power."
Kai closed his eyes, thinking about it. It made sense. Power is only so good if you know how to use it. His runes made sure he knew how to, but it didn't go much further than that.
Before Kai could think about it more, Tropod said, "Stand up."
"Wha-?"
Tropod lunged at Kai. "The real training starts now!"
Kai's eyes widened as he jumped back and got into a fighting stance. "Give me a damn warning!"
"Your opponent won't give you a warning, so why should I?!"
ㅤ
The next morning, using a few of Guiche's dad's connections, Saito managed to get the services of a few dragoons and their dragons. They carried the Zero Fighter in a large net to the academy.
Guiche initally wondered why they were taking the useless 'Dragon's Raiment', but gave in from Saito's insistence.
It didn't take them too long to get to the academy at all.
Mr. Colbert was 42 years old. For the last 20 years, he had dedicated his services to the academy. Along with his dedicated services, the middle-aged man's life was centered around research and inventing. Once he saw the object being carried by the dragoons, he rushed out to the courtyard from his laboratory. His curiosity was at its peak.
"You, what is that? Could you explain it to me?" Colbert's face shone as he looked at Saito, who was watching the plane being lowered.
"Ah, I wanted to talk to you about it actually."
"Me?"
Colbert was a bit stunned. Who was this young commoner? That's right. He's one of the two Gandalfr. The other one was that tailed boy who had praised his invention. Both of them were summoned by Miss Vallière. He remembered they were from Rub' al Khali.
"This is an airplane. Where I'm from, they're seen flying everywhere."
"This flies?! Wonderful!" Colbert started inspecting the different parts of the zero fighter with deep interest. "Could it be that this is the wing? It seems like it can't flap like normal wings. What about this windmill?"
"That's a propeller. When it spins it makes the plane go forward. The wings on the side of it help it glide in the air, so when combined with the propeller, it flies." He only had a rudimentary understanding of how planes worked.
Eyes wide in amazement, Colbert drew nearer to Saito. "I see! When it spins, it uses the power of wind! It's well made, isn't it? Could one of you fly it for me?"
Saito scratched his head. "Um... to fly it, I would need gasoline."
"Gasoline? What's that?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. You remember back in class, that invention of yours?"
"The joyful snake?"
"Yes! You had to burn oil to make it move, right?"
"Oh, so you would need oil? That problem is easily solved!"
Saito took a moment. "No... that wouldn't work. It has to be gasoline."
"Well... there are many different types of oil."
Saito shook his head. "It's not a natural kind of oil, you'd have to manufacture it..."
Next to the two of them, the dragoons were glaring at them.
Guiche whispered into Saito's ear, "Sorry if you're busy, but could you pay the transportation fee..."
"You guys are nobles, aren't you? Stop constantly bickering about money."
"Hey, soldiers are poor you know."
Saito smiled at Colbert. "Mr. Colbert, could you possibly pay the transportation fee for the time being?"
ㅤ
Colbert's laboratory was sat between the central tower and the fire tower. However... laboratory was a strong word. It was more of a shed.
"At first I conducted experiments in my own room, but with all the complaints about the noise and smells, I had to move here."
Wooden racks were filled with mysterious bottles, test tubes, and jars. Next to that were bookshelves crammed with different types of books. A musky smell that couldn't be identified filled the room. Saito pinched his nose while he curiously looked around.
"You'll get used to the smell soon, though... a woman would never get used to it, so that's why I'm still single."
Colbert sat down while muttering answers to questions that hadn't been asked. He sniffed some of the gasoline he had gotten from the bottom of the zero fighter's fuel tank. Since there was a permanence spell on the plane, the gas hadn't undergone any changes.
"Hm... It's a smell I've never smelt before. Such a smell without being heated... this must be quite easy to burn. If this were to be used as an explosive, it would be alarmingly strong." He grabbed a piece of parchment nearby and started jotting notes down. "If I duplicate this oil, that airplane will fly?"
Saito nodded. "Probably, unless there's something else that needs to be fixed."
"Interesting! Concocting substances is tough work, but I'll try!" While Colbert started to take out various pieces of equipment, he turned to Saito. "You're called Saito, right?"
He nodded.
"So, in your country, these could be seen flying everywhere? The technology of the lands the elves govern seems to outclass anything in Halkeginia."
Saito felt bad for lying to Colbert, especially since he was helping out.
"Mr. Colbert, actually, I'm... not from this world. Me, Kai, this airplane, and the Staff of Destruction, we're all from another world."
Colbert suddenly froze. "What did you say?"
"We came from another world."
Colbert slowly looked over at Saito, and then he nodded as if he were impressed.
"I see."
"A-Aren't you surprised?"
"Well, of course, I am. But it all makes sense. You and that other boy may behave differently, but you both act much differently than the people of this world. This is becoming more and more interesting."
"Huh, you're a weird guy."
Colbert let out a small laugh. "I get called that by many people. That's why I haven't found someone to marry yet. But I have a belief."
"A belief?"
"Yes. The nobles of Halkeginia treat magic as a mere tool, but I see it in a different light. Magic could be used for so much more. Instead of sticking to the traditional uses, we should be experimenting to find different ways to utilize it."
Colbert nodded as he looked at Saito.
"After seeing you two, my belief has grown stronger. Who would have thought that there was another world! This shows that the rules of Halkeginia aren't absolute! It's fascinating! Such a fascinating topic! I want to see your world. There are things to be discovered! If either of you need answers I will be there to help."
ㅤ
That night, since he hadn't seen her all day, Saito decided to check on Louise. By then he'd usually have done a fair bit of chores, and it should be even more since Kai decided to go off to train with that green guy.
Saito still didn't understand why Kai decided to take him up on that offer. That guy had tried to kill them all not long ago!
As Saito shook his head, he approached Louise's door. He tried to turn the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. Locked.
He knocked a couple of times. "Hello? Are you in there?"
"Go away..." Louise's voice sounded muffled and tired. She sounded as if she had just woken up.
"I just wanted to ask-"
"I said go away!"
Saito stood still for a moment, before deciding to leave. What was her deal?