Chapter 7 Part 2 - Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho (从零开始的魔法书）

*In the chapter Zero and Merc refer Albus as "a brat" (小鬼) In a playful way (I think) :P

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What just happened earlier? What was the motive or meaning behind that? I ran after Zero, feel a bit embarrassed as I walk just a step behind her. About this...

"You just kissed Albus."

Zero took no time to expose my embarrassment. I almost fell on my feet. So, was that really a kiss? My expression remained calm, but I almost fainted on the inside. My first time (kiss) unexpectedly being taken by that little brat.

"...I didn't kiss her."

I calmly expressed the lie. That wasn't my motive, so the correct statement is actually the brat kissing me.

"No, you have."

"You didn't even see! How would you know!"

"I'm a witch, Mercenary."

Whatever I say is useless, with unexpected strength, I scratched the back of my neck, recited some words and said

"Look who's the one talking, aren't you too straightforward? Didn't you want to be with Thirteenth? That's why you came all the way to Wenias."

I just said something that had nothing to do with the topic. Probably. Zero took a quick glance at me.

"However, the context is different. Thirteenth and I has always been together, which was because Thirteenth was the only person I knew, but now I have you by my side."

"You... have no interest in your old comrade?" I asked her in a condemning voice to try to hide my feelings.

However, Zeor started laughing. "Witches and magicians are practically the same organism. Maybe it's because we live too long, so feelings get thin over time. Or else I wouldn't forgive the Thirteenth that killed many people."

"You forgive him?" (Merc)

"About that... who knows. Maybe I was never mad at him from the start. Like Thirteenth said, as a member of the Murky Black, those witches in the cave have practically no normality. Other than breathing, they have no difference from being dead--but at the same time they anticipate it, not knowing when they'll die. I hate that part of the cave I was in, but Thirteenth made a change. I think he did an efficient job killing all those people, but I don't know how he mourns over those people."

Zero said so while looking at the sky, feeling as if she's recalling those memories. Her voice and expression didn't seem to have any tone of sadness even though I font really understand all the things that could be obtained from this--

"Do you think I'm cold?"

"Stop saying that stupid crap, I'm a mercenary. I'm covered head to toe with resent, I'm just not proud enough to go talk to others about that."

"...So then, why did you want to protect Thirteenth then? Even if I killed Thirteenth, you probably wouldn't have any problems with it."

"Asking me why--"

Because my body moved on it own on that occasion, I didn't really have a reason to state. I just had a bad feeling about his death. Especially if the one killing him was Zero. Following the complicated train of thoughts, I tried to find a reason. After reasoning with myself, I can't think of anything, but I guess I'll just say this.

"--Don't you love him? You said you just needed to find Thirteenth when you met me."

After the last question to the only compatriot. (Ik this part doesn't make sense, it's just him thinking stuff) Now that I think of it, I think back of when Zero was describing Thirteenth, her voice has a longing tone. But now, would she be nervous and freak out or just calmly agree? -- I looked over and found Zero covering her face, she looks at me.

"What" (Merc)

"... Looks like there some misunderstanding, Mercenary."

"Misunderstanding?"

"Thirteenth is my brother."

A normal person would listen to this and be extremely shocked. Meanwhile I am being shocked to the point where my eyes will pop out of my head.

Zero and Thirteenth are siblings?

"No, you can't lie to me like this! You two look nothing like siblings! Also, you have no proof--"

"I told you before, I'm pretty sure I said Thirteenth and I are compatriots."

Well she did say that before, I clearly heard that she used the word compatriot, and I also know that the word "compatriot" means that you come out of the same womb--But normally people say the word "companion" for that. , making someone hear this word and expect them to think "siblings" is way too hard of a task to do.

"Also, Thirteenth used to look really good, but every time he would summon a demon it would take a bit out of his looks."

"Beauty.... Can you really donate that?"

"Actually it can be donated like that, so that's how Thirteenth turned out to be that way. But that was how it was back then...? But on another note, the reason you saved him was because you didn't want me to kill my own lover?"

Listening to her saying it that way, I can't say anything, but Zero was laughing her ass off.

"You tried so hard because of me? Because you didn't want me to be sad?"



"I only did it in the spur of the moment, I didn't think much of it."

"So, Mercenary, did you fall in love with me?"

"Hell no!"

Maybe--No, definitely not.

"You love to be so proud. What if I fell in love with you--what would you do then?"

"Sadly, I hate witches." I stuck out my tongue after I said that, and Zero started laughing.

"You're always the same cold-hearted person. Even if I was the most beautiful lady in the world, you have no reason to love me, Mercenary, when you fell from the sky (when they first met), I already made a choice."

"...A choice?"

"I have decided that you can be my servant."

I stopped and looked at Zero. "...What?"



"What I mean is that I'm going to use your name, I am going to bind you to my side and you will always be my thing only. So now say your name!"

Zero showed an expression that would let all the kings in the world bow down to her, and stared at me. I started slowly getting out of her line of vision--

Then started sprinting. I can't deal with this, witches are too scary.

"Haha, stop running, Mercenary! After you become my servant, many tasks will become way easier! And I'm a type who cares dearly about her servants! Hey, Mercenary, come back! Don't make me come after you, I'll sweat!"

"Who cares! If you're a witch, just fly in the air!"

"That kind of magic isn't as simple as you think-- Ouch!"

Zero yelled as she rolled to the ground with her hands clutched on her foot. I quickly ran back to her.

"You idiot! You need more effort to run! Don't talk and run because--"

I didn't have time to say "what if," Zero's arm quickly extended towards me and hooked my neck catching me.

"I caught up to you, Mercenary."

She smiles and laughs evilly. The act of her tripping herself was a decoy.

Damn, I got tricked. Why did I run back to her, I'm so stupid.

"Mercenary, your name."

"Not telling."

"Do I need to tell you my name?"

"I have no interest in things like names."

"You don't want to be my thing?"

"I'm already your mercenary."

I sighed as I carried Zero on me. Zero made a sound as if she kinda agrees and disagrees with what I just said while leaning her head on my shoulders, looking at the sky. Today is also a clear day like always.

"Hey, Mercenary."

"What do you want, witch?"

"I--Think that you're a great warrior. You hate witches, so you won't be fooled by my beauty. Even though that doesn't make me happy. You are my first, and only friend."

Friends. Normally--to me you are also my first and only friend. Oh well, it doesn't feel too bad.

I cleared my throat and looked at the sky.

"Hey, on the other hand I do think that it would be better if you were human."

"If you say that, I would be that girl that was extremely frightened of you, and I would've died long ago."

That's not wrong.

If i'm not a beastfallen.

If Zero wasn't a witch.

Even if we met, the road would be split instantly. As a result, I call Zero a witch, and Zero calls me Mercenary.

"If you say it like that, uh...I guess the remaining time that I'll stay as a beastfallen wouldn't be too bad..."

Right? Right. Zero laughed as I said that.

The bright blue sky is as bright as ever, and the road is as long as ever. The me up until now have no idea where this road would lead to. But I feel that Zero is the same. She looks at her map while sitting on my shoulder, looking like more of a child than Albus, and even letting me forget what Thirteenth has said to me.

--If Zero started hating this world.

--She would destroy everything. Just remember that.

I shook my head, and let that message fly away.

Whatever he said--it's too late.

Wenias is magic's starting point, give or take. Between Thirteenth and Wenias spreading magic, it's been ten years. In this period of time, how has nobody took magic to other nations yet? To think that this didn't happen is pretty weird. In this case, Zero was required for this to happen. Thirteenth understands this and decided to let Zero go travel on her own with me.

Zero is protecting this world from magic, and I'm protecting Zero from this world. In the end, I think this isn't too bad, even though Zero is stronger than me in reality, but for now I'll just turn a blind eye on this.

Zero and I.

Even though I don't know how long this relationship would last--

Oh well, but the reason are as follows, or maybe this is the perfect feeling of distance.

- END OF VOLUME 1-