Unnoticed to himself, Saito became very self-conceited.
He gazed at Louise’s sleeping face and muttered silently Wait for me, I will definitely bring you back,
One hour passed after that then suddenly shadows appeared on the shore. It was from two people. With their hooded robes it was hard to tell if they were men or women.
Saito gripped Derflinger's handle. The rune on his left hand began to shine. However, he hadn’t left the hiding spot. He still could not decide whether it was these people that attacked Water Spirit or not.
Then the pair pulled out their wands while standing at the waterside.
It looked like they started chanting spells.
Convinced that there was no mistake by now, Saito stood up from the shade of the tree and moved towards the pair. Two people should be an easy match. Because I already defeated Wardes and ten-times larger orc demons, and this is just a single pair. Hey, they are not even looking in my direction. Easy victory, easy victory, I could overpower them with a whistle.
Saito hid himself behind the tree right next to the pair. Seeing him squatting himself down, Guiche started chanting the spell.
The ground where the pair stood suddenly rose and became a huge hand-like tentacle that twined around the assailants' feet.
Silence.
Saito dashed out of the shade of tree. The distance to the mages was about 30 meters. Saito, demonstrating Gandálfr's power, closed the distance in less than three seconds.
However, the enemy’s reaction was quick. The assailants started muttering spells the same time when the ground was raised. The flame flew out of the end of the wand, burning down the soil that was gripping the pair’s feet. The smaller shadow acted in a surprising manner. Instead of releasing their spell towards Guiche, the person aimed it towards Saito, who wasn't prepared for this.
The shadow turned around quickly and then swung the wand. Just like in the fight with Wardes before, an air hammer hit Saito’s body. Saito, who did not expect such attack, took a direct hit and was easily blown away.
In no time, an ice arrow followed. Saito turned his body and jumped up, dodging it, but the taller mage shot a big fire ball at him. Though Saito tried to dodge that too, the aiming was too accurate since Saito’s movements were anticipated beforehand.
“Partner! Raise me!” Derflinger shouted.
Saito boldly blocked the flame ball with his sword, and yet even though it was absorbed into the sword, it still exploded, scattering around the fragments of fire.
Saito looked confused and was petrified.
Though he frantically tried to rub the pain away, his eyes still hurt since sparks had entered his eyes. Saito became more panicked. Crap! Their wands.
He lowered his guard thinking that the enemy would concentrate on Guiche.
The enemy was experienced in combat and anticipated an attack from a different direction, not being surprised in the slightest by the ambush.
Moreover, they worked together skillfully. While one was preparing the spell, the other was releasing it. Though this was a simple tactic but the results were very effective. Anyhow, there was no opening.
Raging winds snatched the sword out of the hands of the petrified Saito.
His body suddenly felt heavy. In the corner of his eyes he could see another huge fireball coming his way. Saito gave up. His momentary arrogance quickly vanished.
Aah, I am an amateur after all. Gandálfr's power gave me more confidence than my actual skills were worth. Being straightforward doesn’t work on all enemies! Aah, Louise, sorry! Louise!
However even now the goddess of fate did not desert Saito.
The moment before the fireball knocked against Saito, the area in front of him exploded. The fireball and Saito were blown off. This magic was… Louise’s ‘Void’!
“Don’t bully Saitooo!”
Louise’s scream echoed through the night. It almost made Saito cry. Louise helped me. Though she was asleep… but she was probably woken up by all this noise.
Louise waited for an attack, but their guard was off now. Thus now he could recover himself. Somehow, Saito wrenched his right eye open and picked up Derflinger.
He was about to burst into another attack…
But the pair stopped moving. Louise’s scream made them realize something. The two shadows looked at each other.
And removed their hoods.
The faces that appeared in the moonlight were…
“Kirche! Tabitha!” Guiche shouted loudly.
“What?! It was you?!”
Feeling relieved, Saito collapsed on to the ground, exausted.
Surprised, Kirche shouted as well. “You? Why, darling?!”
Chapter Seven: The Ring of Andvari
Saito, who had his eye healed by Montmorency's Water spell, 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.
Kirche approached Saito asking if his wound had recovered. Though Saito felt slightly bitter about being defeated, he could not help but admire both their team work.
“You are really good, we stood no chance.”
“Victory or defeat is also dependent on luck. If your luck were better, we could only have run. Besides, you were fighting alone, Guiche was useless, Montmorency was only watching and Louise only dealt the final blow.”
Kirche proudly brushed up her hair.
“But why are you attacking the Water Spirit?” Saito asked, sitting near the bonfire.
“Why do you need to protect it?” Kirche countered.
Louise, who had been nestling up to Saito's back for some time, pulled the sleeve of his parka sadly.
“Do you think Kirche is better than me?”
“Ah! No - that's not true! I was just asking about what's going on! 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 Saito had said to her. Although a little scary, Saito felt that Louise was really lovable at that moment. But right now he was busy so 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. You just cast a major spell, aren't you tired?”
Louise was bashfully tracing circles with her finger on Saito'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.
Saito reluctantly kissed Louise's cheek.
“Cheek isn't enough!”
Louise puffed up her cheeks and muttered bluntly.
Saito 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. 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 was able to entice a girl, yet she is already treating you like a god!” Kirche asked in admiration.