“Indeed.”
Styx weakly muttered and they both slumped on the deck again.
In the strategic conference room of Varsenda, General De Poitiers received the report.
It came from Rosais, from one dragon scout of the first unit. General De Poitiers smiled gloatingly.
Chief of Staff Wimpffen, watched his superior officer’s face.
“Must be good news,” he muttered.
“The troops in Rosais area are said to be gone. Void managed to lure the enemy to Dartanes.”
“That’s just the first obstacle.”
De Poitiers nodded and gave the command.
“All fleets ships head to Rosais. We must decide upon landing. Gather all commanders.”
The messenger received the General's instruction and dashed out.
De Poitiers nodded.
“Now then, I wonder if I can become field marshal now or not, I don’t want to wait for one more week.”
Even if the landing succeeds, it will still probably be a tough fight.
Albion still had 50,000 untouched troops resting.
In the sky of Dartanes, Saito’s plane headed towards the confluence point with the Tristain fleet.
The plan was to join the fleet at Albion’s boundary.
Saito, who sat in the pilot’s seat, was silent for a long time.
Whatever Louise tried to speak about, he did not answer.
Only once Saito opened his mouth.
“They…”
“Yes.”
However, Saito did not say anything since then.
Louise found a letter within Colbert’s manual. But because of all the craziness around she did not pay attention to it.
“Letter.”
This got Saito’s attention.
“Letter?”
“Yes. Mister Colbert’s. Read it?”
Saito nodded.
Louise spread the letter and started to read it aloud.
Saito-kun, was my invention 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 for 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.
If 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 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 thought.
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 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.
Behind the cloud... one could see the Tristain-Germania united fleet heading to Rosais.
The number had decreased a lot.
Still… most ships were still intact, so they likely won the battle.
Even though they won, the ones that survived looked worn-out. Many of the ships' hulls were damaged, masts were broken. There was a ship that lost all cannons completely as well.
Louise continued to read the letter aloud.
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 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, must be really wonderful.
I want to see that kind of world.
“That’s it. Weird person. He really wants to go to your world.”
Saito, while sniffing, thanked Louise.
“Thank you.”
Louise gently embraced Saito's neck. And murmured,
“Idiot. Why are you crying?”
“…felt like crying.”
“…Many things happened today, you're just tired. Once we're back on the ship, let's just get some rest.”
Louise closed her eyes, and softly kissed Saito’s neck.
Once Varsenda appeared, Saito turned the nose of the plane towards it.
On the bright sunny day, the sooty fleet looked as though it was dyed in a beautiful black paint.