Music to my ears. This Favorability function really is handy, huh? I know bonding events are a huge thing in Trails, which eventually turn into Connection Events from Daybreak onward. They're events that allow you to bond with said characters, by going through one's past, or simply enjoying an outing with them. They're easily capable of being missed until Cold Steel comes around, where the games leave you a number of points that you can use to see these events take place. I don't think that will happen given my circumstances, so instead, the Favorability meter will act in accordance to that. Once I unlock Favorability, I can spend some time with these guys, witnessing events that may not even take place in the games due to my person now residing here in Zemuria.
And honestly, I'll be looking forward to them~
Seeing Olivert take a moment to reveal such a thing to me, I smiled. Leaning my face forward, I decided to play along, and speak out to him. "Haha, since you were kind enough to reveal a secret or two of your own, it is only proper that I do the same, "Your Highness".", I said. If this is the Prince Olivert I know, then he is one who knows how to keep his secrets. Grandmother and Father already know, so it wouldn't hurt to tell Olivert as well, right? I do have plans to stick by his side in the future, after everything that comes to pass.
"Oh?", Olivert uttered, gaining interest in what I just said to him. "You are Giliath's kin. You seem rather young to be going about, but I'll bite the bullet. You should know a thing or two."
"Heh. Father even started giving me history lessons before I could even form my first words, let alone having full conversations like this. I'm three, by the way. Soon to be four.", I uttered back. Hearing that, Olivert paused.
"I wasn't expecting you to be that young. Should I say, as expected of Giliath? Of course his offspring would have their head smarts, so I shouldn't be that surprised.", Olivert mused at the fact I was still three years old, but I was already conversing like an adult. I am not sure if it was all attributed to me being Giliath's son, or the fact that I had reincarnated, keeping my memories intact and everything. Olivert didn't need to know that part, though. Apart from Roselia who had come to learn who I truly was, I have zero plans of telling anyone else. "So, what is it you want to tell me, lad?", Olivert asked.
"Let me borrow your ear.", I responded. The others around us watched me do this while they conversed about the attack, but I kept my voice too low for them to hear anything. I even saw Aurelia gazing at me with growing interest. The more I began to speak in Olivert's ear, the more surprised he came. Especially when I said to him to refer to me as "Naoto von Auslese" whenever the two of us are alone, away from prying eyes. His shock turned into seriousness. But once he recovered from this shock, he simply let out a loud laugh.
"Hahaha!", Olivert said, letting out a loud laugh. His laugh was quite loud, which caused the commanding officers to cease their ongoing conversations. Crown Prince Eugent stared at him.
"Is there something you would like to say to the class, Olivert?", Crown Prince Eugent questioned, half-jokingly. Of course, this was no class. Some of the country's top-most individuals are beside me. Any one of them had the strength easily comparable to a hundred or perhaps a thousand soldiers. Maybe even ten thousand? All monsters, the whole lot of them. Even Aurelia was. She has likely started her swordsmanship training already.
"It is nothing, Lord Father. Giliath's son here was simply telling me a joke. I do apologize if I disrupted you all.", Olivert said, quickly dodging what I had just said to him. But seeing him do that alone, I knew I was right on the mira. He didn't outright say I was a prince of Liberl. I may, down the line, just end up being a prince. Liberl is usually run by matriarchs, so I don't know if Grandmother truly intends to have me inherit her position. Only time will tell for that.
"Giliath's son?", Aurelia said. "Now it's starting to make sense. Turns out you aren't just some random kid. To be honest, I didn't think a man of your stature would be one to rear children, General."
"Fate works in mysterious ways, Lady Aurelia. One day, you too will become a mother.", Giliath stated.
"Oh we'll see about that. Whoever my fated person is, they'll have to beat me first.", Aurelia declared. I wanted to gulp at that. That's basically asking for a death wish. Olivert laughed again.
"Haha!, I can only feel sorry to whoever will end up being your partner, Lady Aurelia.", Olivert retorted with a playful smile. As for me, I grabbed Olivert's attention again.
"This will be a secret between us two, right?", I uttered back at Olivert. He smiled, and nodded.
"But of course, young one.", Olivert responded, keeping a grin on his face.
"I still don't know what in Aidios's name you two are blabbering on about.", Mueller retorted, still angry he was being left out. However, that only caused Olivert to look back at him, shifting his eyes away from me. All of a sudden, he asked a different question.
"Say Mueller, how much do you know about raising Falcons?", Olivert asked, shifting the topic altogether. Confusion was added onto his current annoyed look.
"Hah? Falcons? I can never guess what goes on in that head of yours, Olivert.", Mueller responded, not having a single clue of what Olivert was going on about.
"Exactly.", Olivert responded. He quickly glanced back my way, and gave me a wink. Seeing this, I knew I could trust him with this matter. Seeing this awkward exchange, Crown Prince Eugent coughed, causing us to turn around and look back at him. Good, I'm glad Olivert will stay quiet about the other identity I possess. It should bode well to be by his side in the coming years, should I successfully come out of the DG Cult. I don't have plans to tell anyone of this, as a certain event should happen which will allow me to enter that place. Mueller simply shook his head after regaining his composure.
"Try not to cause too much of a distraction alright, Olivert? I do appreciate you bringing your son here, Giliath. I know what His Imperial Majesty has requested of you, and the request will be granted. You needn't worry about that. Just don't act too out of line while we head back to the palace. The same goes for you. Naoto Osborne, was it?", Crown Prince Eugent.
"Yes, Your Highness. I do apologize for that just now.", I replied, nodding my head seriously, and kept my mouth shut again.
Giliath saw me, and had a look of interest in his eyes, wondering what I had talked with Olivert about. But he complied, and nodded his head too. I had nothing else to say, and I didn't want to cause another interruption. Aurelia also turned quiet, sometimes she would glance my way with an interested look too. She was treating this as a field exercise, and unless she had a point to make, she kept her mouth shut like I did. The commanders continued their talk, and before I realized it Heimdallr's perimeter was already in view. The vermillion-clad city glistened in the background as the afternoon sun passed over the mountains.
Father continued speaking to Crown Prince Eugent, keeping the conversation going.
"So it really is true that His Imperial Majesty is pushing the date up of your coronation, Your Highness. Do the Great Houses know about this?", Giliath asked.
"They will. I've already sent out those invitations to attend the gathering that will take place in the capital. We will all hold that banquet tomorrow, before the ceremony happens. Even if this coronation will be held in secrecy, it still needs to be official. Members of the military, the nobles, and the diet are required to be present. And not just them, I sent invitations out to the Septian Church. This monumental event will need to be recognized by them too.", Crown Prince Eugent responded, answering Giliath's question.
I almost forgot that was a thing. To make something official more on a global scale, the Septian Church does indeed send its members to officiate the event. Coronations and arranged marriages are the most common events the Church heads to, and this one will be no less to that. I wonder, will I get to see Ein again, or will it be a different member of the Church? I doubt it will be Kevin, since he hasn't become a Gralsritter yet. Wazy for that matter either.
"Haha, of course everyone will be required there to witness Your Highness' steps onto the throne. It will usher us into the next era. And we will be there to respond in kind.", Giliath stated, suddenly dropping a powerful statement. I felt the atmosphere turn vigorous, making me more upbeat than usual. My blood started pumping hearing such a line get declared like that. Father always had his way with words!