"Saito and the rest are so slow... Itâs already been a while since they entered the water."
"Well, would you like to sacrifice yourself to feed the sharks?"
Malicorne leisurely yawned and answered Guicheâs nervous question.
It was the second day of the third week of the ninth month. The members of the Ondine Knight Corps were waiting for the return of Saitoâs group on the deck of the "Ostland", which was anchored in the sea near the "Dragonâs Nest".
It had been two days since Saito and Louise had reunited in the free city of Eumenes. Saito, Louise, and Tiffania all accompanied the group with Romaliaâs Pope Vittorio, as they went to the resting place of the "magic device" supposedly left behind by the Founder Brimir - The "Holy Land", on the seabed.
As long as they had gathered the "Four of Four" bearers of the Void, and obtained the "magic device", they would be able to stop the destruction of Halkeginia from the "Wind Stones" going out of control.
A steady breeze blew across the sea, and the light of the two moons reflected as shining silver sparkles.
"Saying something like that right now, isnât that a little too reckless?"
The serious-faced Reynald wrinkled his brow.
"Itâs just a joke, but arenât they a little too slow?"
Malicorne responded.
"No, after all this "magic device" is the legacy of the Founder. It could take a while to start up...In short, we should patiently wait."
Listening to his studentsâ conversation, Mr. Colbert stood on the deck while looking dignified.
"The Founderâs âmagic deviceâ, huh...?"
Having reached a peace agreement with the Elves, and successfully arriving in the "Holy Land", there was nothing to worry about now... Saying this, there was still an inexplicable feeling of unease in his heart.
After all, Colbert was one of the rare realists in Halkeginia. He really didnât believe such a beautiful "magic device" could exist in this world that could prevent the "Wind Stones" from going out of control.
"Please, whatâs wrong? You look so serious."
Kirche, standing at his side, worriedly looked at Colbertâs expression.
"Nothing, just thinking about a little something at the moment...."
"Hey, even if you have no hair, youâre still the #1 man in the world."
Kirche straightened her back a little and kissed Colbertâs forehead.
"Ms. Zerbst, Iâm also not thinking about those things... well."
Tabitha, with her back to the side of the ship, was sitting at the feet of the two, and reading a book with a "Light" spell floating above her head. But since a moment ago, there had been no sign of her reading the page, and she occasionally looked up uneasily towards the direction of the sea.
"Worried about Saito?"
Kirche mischievously asked.
"...."
Tabitha suddenly blushed and covered her face with her book.
Seeing her taciturn friend acting so cute, Kirche couldnât help but smile.
"Everyone, Iâve brought some simple snacks."
Siesta informed everyone as she stepped out on the deck. They saw she was carrying a large plate with many sandwiches, and she divided them amongst the members of the Knight Corps of the Water Spirit on the deck. Kirche and Colbert also accepted them gratefully.
"Excuse me, Mr. Colbert."
Siesta asked as she looked at the sea Saitoâs group had dove in to.
"With this, Halkeginia will be saved. Since there is a peace agreement with the Elves, there wonât be any more war in the future."
"Hm... if what his Holiness the Pope said isnât empty words, this is true."
Siesta sighed in relief.
"Oh, thatâs wonderful, truly... So Ms. Vallière isnât going to have to use that terrible power, right?"
"...Hm."
Colbert nodded with a complicated look on his face.
Louiseâs newly learned void magic... with destructive power that seemed to far exceed that of the "Explosion" that destroyed the Elven fleet in one attack.
Fortunately, his students wonât need to use such a terrible power... although this would relieve the weight on his heart... Really, he felt an unspeakable anxiety.
Ignoring Colbertâs anxiety, Guiche and the other members of the Knight Corps of the Water Spirit were leisurely fishing while chatting casually.
"I canât believe that last place Louise, will actually save Halkeginia."
"Our Lord, the vice-captain, as well. When we return to Tristain, let alone becoming Chevaliers, we might even receive a peerage. Things like a commoner receiving a peerage, thatâs outrageous isnât it."
"A baron... no, a viscount peerage wouldnât be surprising. Saitoâs achievements truly deserve such a title."
"Please, speaking of returning to school, weâre all heroes also."
Guiche looked up at the two moons hanging high in the night sky.
"School...huh, I really miss it. Itâs clearly only been a short two weeks since we left Tristain, but it feels like itâs been forever.
After that, he reluctantly whispered, "Ah, I want to meet with Montmorency again soon."
"This is the long-cherished wish of our ancestors, the âPromised Landâ that the âClan of the Magiâ should return to."
The steady voice of Vittorio, the Pope of Romalia, resounded through the huge hollow on the seabed.
Saito blankly stood in front of the shiny "Door", and couldnât control himself for a while.
That was no wonder. After all, the location of the "Promised Land" that Vittorio is pointing to... is undoubtedly Saitoâs home, an image of "Earth".
"How can this be... What the hell is going on...?"
In fact, Saito had been vaguely aware for a long time that the "magic device" with the power to destroy wind stones basically was a folly. However, the scene in front of his eyes was beyond his imagination.
Louise and Tiffaniaâs eyes opened wide, and Henrietta was also speechless. Josette looked at Julio in surprise, and Turuk and Bidashal had an unwavering expression.
After taking a deep breath, Saito trembled as he spoke.
"What is going on exactly? âEarthâ... How can my home be the âPromised Landâ...?"
"What?"
Hearing what Saito said, Louise finally reacted.
"Saitoâs home? Itâs there?"
Saito nodded silently. Henrietta covered her mouth in surprise as she listened.
Vittorio, who reacted to Saitoâs line of sight, spoke with him not moving his eyebrows even once.
"The âPromised Landâ is what it means, Sir Saito. For those of us, the people of Halkeginia, your home, this piece of land is the real âHoly Landâ."
"What...!"
Saito was lost for words. Vittorioâs crystal clear eyes, without a trace of any lies, overflowing with devoutness and zeal.
Facing the Popeâs line of sight, Saito couldnât help but shrink back.
"Excuse me, your Holiness."
At that time, Henrietta opened her mouth to speak.
Henrietta fearlessly glared at Vittorio.
"Can your Holiness please explain this in a way we can all understand. You have this obligation, your Holiness."
"Of course. This is the purpose as for why I led you all here."
Vittorio looked around at everyoneâs expression, as he stood in front of the "Door" with the image of Earth shining out of it.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
"Well, before I reveal the truth about the âHoly Landâ, Iâd like to ask a question first. Queen Henrietta, in the present Halkeginia, do you know why some people can use magic and other canât? That is to say, why there are nobles and common people?
"...?"
Whatâs the point of this question... Henrietta frowned, but then answered.
"The so-called nobles, are people who have inherited the blood of the Founder Brimir."
"Thatâs right, youâre correct. The systemic magic that exists in Halkeginia, came with the arrival of the Founder Brimir 6000 years ago."
Vittorio nodded his head,
"So, where did our great Founder actually come from?"
"Now isnât the time for a theological quiz your Holiness."
Henrietta responded bluntly.
But Vittorio still revealed a steady smile,
"No, this isnât a theological quiz. Queen Henrietta, Iâm about to reveal the truth that has vanished from the long history of Halkeginia... that is, the truth from 6000 years ago.
"The truth from 6000 years ago?"
"Thatâs right. That is, the truth that through the many years the Romalian Vatican has hidden to this day."
Vittorioâs voice buzzed in the giant cave.
"The Founder Brimir is a god sent from heaven to the world... this is what is written in the scriptures."
Louise said. This "Truth" is not only circulated in Tristainâs Magic Academy but is also widely circulated in all the countries of Halkeginia.
"Correct, that is indeed what is recorded in the Romalian scriptures... but, that isnât the truth."
Speaking to here, Vittorioâs line of sight turned to the "Door".
At that moment, Saito had an epiphany. All the clues connected in his mind.
The "gun" sent from "Earth" by Brimir... In other words...
"...It canât be!"
Seeing Saitoâs appearance, Louise and Henrietta seemed to follow his epiphany.
"You guessed right. Our ancestors came from the other side of this âDoorâ, that world. In other words, the Founder Brimir, like Sir Saito, was a resident of a different world."
"What did you say...!"
Louise shouted in surprise. Henrietta and Tiffania looked at each other.
Saito opened his mouth wide in surprise and asked the Pope.
"Meaning that the Founder Brimir and I are the same, that we both are Earthlings?"
"Yes, properly saying, Brimir and his people are a group called âMagiâ."
"Magi?"
Louiseâs group was completely unfamiliar with this term.
But Saito always felt, a vague familiarity with the term. Where exactly had he heard it..?
"The âMagiâ are a minority group that specializes in the use of magic. 6000 years ago, they were led by the Founder Brimir and emigrated to this world. Those âMagiâ are the ancestors of our Halkeginians."
"Our ancestors, are actual people from another world...."
Louise whispered with her dark brown eyes wide open.
"Even though youâre saying this, Your Holiness, it is hardly convincing."
Depressed, Henrietta responded in bewilderment.
"Of course I know this. If I tell you the truth, Iâm sure itâd be laughed at as some ridiculous fairy tale. However, I swear to the Founder and God, this is without a doubt the historical truth that has been passed down through the âFounderâs Round Mirrorâ since the age of St. Forsythe, the founder of the Romalian Empire."
Vittorio drew a sign on his chest. This was the action that a sincere believer of Brimir would do when they swore to the Founder and God. For a believer of Brimir, lying after making that sign was the most serious of sins.
At this time, Julio told Saito:
"Saito, you should have already noticed. All of the âgunsâ of âGandálfrâ sent by the Founder Brimir, came from your world. This is the best evidence, evidence that the Founder was from your world.
Saito listened to Julioâs remark in silence.
The large underwater cave was plunged into silence. The shocking "Truth" that came from the Popeâs mouth, left even Louise and Henrietta speechless.
Among them, Tiffania gingerly opened her mouth.
"Ex-excuse me...."
"What is it, Ms. Westwood?"
"This... why did Brimir come to this world?"
"Of course there was a reason for this."
Vittorio nodded his head and explained.
"The âMagiâ in their old world, were subjected to racial persecution by a group without the power of magic, called the âVaryagâ."
Hearing the Pope say this, Saito suddenly understood. âMagiâ and âVaryagâ... now he was reminded where he heard these two words.
"Right, didnât I hear this in that rune dream...?"
Before the war between the Kingdom of Gallia, led by King Joseph, and the coalition of Halkeginia broke out... Louise had tried to send Saito back to Earth. At that time, Saito experience a memory, deep from within the "Gandálfr" runes, of 6000 years ago in a dream. Remembering that time, Brimir called himself "Magi", and Saito fought the terrible "Varyag" forces that attacked the village in his dream. And the "Varyag" that fought with Saito, didnât look like a monster or a sub-human... but the same as a human being.
Since the "Varyag" didnât have the power of magic, they feared the "Magi". They persecuted the "Magi" and tried to destroy the entire race. Although the "Varyag" couldnât use magic, they possessed an overwhelming superiority in numbers, and a dreadful weapon built with excellent technology... Even with the power of magic, the clan of the "Magi" was basically out of luck. In order to escape the persecution, the Founder Brimir could only open a "Door" and lead his clan to Halkeginia.
A moment later, Vittorio looked around.
"In other words, the other side of the âDoorâ, that world is our homeland, the place our soul returns to. The descendants of the Founder Brimir and the âMagiâ, the people of Halkeginia have a legitimate right to return to the âHoly Landâ."
"How come...."
Tiffaniaâs face suddenly went pale. Facing the first revelation of this secret of history, Louise and Henrietta were completely dumbstruck.
"Precisely because the Elven Council has long been aware that your true target wasnât the âDesertâ, that is why we could reach a peaceful resolution."
The Elven Consul Turuk calmly said.
"If you barbarians reclaim the âHoly Landâ on the other side of the âDemonâs Doorâ, no further dispute will occur in the future. For the peace of the desert, of course, weâll do our best to help."
"Ple-please wait!"
Saito shouted.
"What do you mean return... you donât mean to send all the inhabitants of Halkeginia to Earth?"
"Of course, we intend for all the people to migrate. The nobles and the commoners, the rich and the poor, everyone has the right to return. Because of the dilution of the pedigree, the people whom we call commoners who are yet to awaken to the power of magic. Because sooner or later, the blood of the Magi which has changed into a draw-back will soon be gone."
"This... itâs impossible!"
The anxious Saito said in defense.
"How is it impossible?"
"Because there hasnât been a place on Earth to accommodate all the people of Halkeginia for a long time!"
The number of residents in Halkeginia was unknown. However, it would be simply impossible to immigrate to Earth and establish a new country now.
Then chaos would surely come to the world... Even Saito, who didnât score well in school, could easily predict this.
But Vittorioâs face didnât change and continued to say.
"Of course, I know that co-existence is impossible."
"Then...."
"Therefore, to be accurate, this wonât be called a âReturnâ. Right, if we were to borrow the words of the traitors from Albion to describe it, we should call it a âReconquistaâ[1]."
"What did you say!"
"Your Holiness, what exactly is going on!"
Henrietta sharply questioned.
"This means that we have a legitimate right to reclaim our homeland through âHoly Warâ. This is the sacred mission given to us by the Founder."
Saying such a terribly earth-shattering thing, Vittorioâs expression didnât change.
"Holy War... You want to start fighting âEarthâ with Halkeginian forces?"
"Correct. Weâve already made proper preparations for this goal."
Seeing Vittorioâs clear eyes, Saito couldnât help but be shocked.
"This man really plans to conquer Earth...."
Saito racked his brain, wondering how to convince this man whose mind was filled with madness.
"This is impossible, Halkeginian forces basically have no way of winning. You also know the quality of Earthâs âWeaponsâ, right? Not only that âTankâ or âZero Fighterâ, there are those that are even more terrible.
Weapons... saying this, Saito suddenly went silent.
What emerged in Saitoâs mind was the "Nuclear Submarine" that was sunk on the seafloor of the "Dragonâs Nest." It would be best not to mention that.
"Correct, in the last several decades, the âweaponsâ of the âVaryagâ have developed to a degree that canât be believed. Therefore, they must be destroyed before they can acquire even more devastating weapons."
"What youâre saying is impossible! Itâs useless, no matter how many powerful magics you have, the weapons of Earth can easily kill a person before a wizard pulls out a wand.
Saito desperately shouted. In fact, even if Halkeginiaâs "Coalition Army for the Restoration of the Holy Lands" were to aggressively attack the Earth now, it would be counterattacked in a few moments and would have tragic results. Once it would come to this, it would be impossible to predict Louiseâs and the others lives and safety.
"Yes, the âVaryagâ are a terrible enemy. However, God and the Founder Brimir have given us a great power capable of confronting them."
Hearing Vittorioâs words, Louise suddenly looked up. Seeing this, Vittorio nodded with a steady smile.
"Thatâs correct, itâs the âFinal Voidâ given to Ms. Vallière."
"Whatâs this...!"
Louise opened her mouth in surprise.
"Life."
Capable to cause devastating destruction, the "Final Void"... Not to be used to fight the Elves using the "Jewel of Fire", but the trump card to conquer Saitoâs homeland.
"You actually deceived us, Your Holiness!"
Louise, with her voice trembling and her eyes burning with rage, stared fiercely at Vittorio and Julio.
"Logically speaking, Void Magic is a countermeasure when the Elves used the âJewel of Fireâ. Since we reconciled with the Elves, we have no need to use the âVoidâ."
"Ms. Vallière, I didnât lie. But I didnât speak the whole truth, I apologize for that."
Seeing Vittorio uncaringly bow his head in apology, Louise tightly clenched her lips.
"Although you say this, do you really think Iâd do such a thing as destroy Saitoâs homeland? If yes, youâve made a mistake."
Louise spoke decisively.
"I swore on the La Vallière name, and promised Saito that I would return him to his homeland."
"Louise...."
Hearing Louiseâs courageous declaration, even in the face of such a crisis, Saito felt inexplicably moved.
Ah, Louise, my beloved master...
The resolute Henrietta also confronted the Pope.
"Your Holiness, donât tell me you still want to sacrifice more of the people of Halkeginia?
But Vittorio calmly shook his head.
"Then I ask you, are you willing to helplessly face destruction?"
"This...."
Henrietta was suddenly dumbfounded. With Halkeginia still facing the major problem at present, the Pope asked himself.
"In the near future, the âWind Stonesâ will surely go out of control and engulf all of Halkeginia. Ultimately, for the sake of a barely existent pebble of land, a pointless conflict will begin repeatedly... all of the nobles will probably survive the process, but what about all the other people living on this land?"
"We certainly need to think of a solution for the âWind Stoneâ problem. However, to conquer Sir Saitoâs homeland, for this reason, is definitely not right."
"This isnât a question of right or wrong. Queen Henrietta, on the brink of destruction, we can only try to find ways to survive."
The only thing in Vittorioâs eyes was the will to persevere.
Saito had faced many powerful enemies before. Like Fouquet, Wardes, Sheffield the Mjöðvitnir, King Joseph, and Aishmail of the "Steel-Blooded Party"... but seeing such eyes, filled with purity, he felt that none of those powerful enemies were as formidable as Vittorio.
He must be stopped... That man was too dangerous.
"Donât think thatâs possible, I definitely wonât let you conquer the Earth!"
The rune on Saitoâs left hand lit up as he pulled Derflinger from his back.
"Saito!"
Louise shouted.
Julio immediately pulled the saber from his waist and guarded Vittorio from the front.
"Donât do anything stupid, Gandálfr."
"Get out of my way, Julio."
Saito shouted. Of course, he didnât plan to take the Popeâs life, just to grab him temporarily as a hostage, and try to force him to give up on that plan... thinking this, while Saito was preparing to knock Julio, who was facing him.
"Ah...uh...!"
Suddenly something odd overcame Saitoâs body.
A sharp pain escaped his chest... closely followed by the feeling of his whole body collapsing.
Saito knelt to the ground as Derflinger fell from his right hand, then his head fell to the floor.
"Saito, please, whatâs wrong! Saito!"
"Saito!"
Louise and Tiffania hastily supported Saitoâs body from both sides.
Feeling Saito, all the blood in his body gradually became as cold as ice.
"Your Holiness, what have you done to Saito!"
Louise glared at Vittorio, as she held Saitoâs arm.
"I havenât done a thing."
Vittorio showed a look of pity as he looked at Saito.
"Sir Saito is the âFinal Familiarâ, and bears the greatest role in the mission to recapture the âHoly Landâ. If I were to open the âDoorâ to the Holy Land, itâs normal for there to be a reaction."
Hearing this, Louise was shocked as she looked at Saitoâs chest. She saw the strange âLÃfþrasirâ runes glowing under his jacket.
"How come... Tiffa and I have obviously not chanted a void spell... Saito, please, pull yourself together, Saito!"
Loudly hearing Louiseâs crying voice, Saitoâs field of vision faded. A terrible sensation smothered him, it was as if some unseen hand grabbed his heart, and was gradually extracting all the life from him.
"Louise...Loui...se...!"
As Saitoâs consciousness fell into the darkness, Louise wailed as she broke down in tears.
A reconquest.