"Ennea...Is that really you? What's with that armor?"
"Teehee, I'm a knight of the Stahlritter. It is only right that I play the part. How do I look?", Ennea responded. She even did a twirl of her body, even though she didn't have to do that. "I even changed the way I attack my enemies too. Those daggers are long gone. I use a bow now. Pretty cool, huh?"
After Ennea said that, she brandished her silver-laced bow. It looked quite powerful. But it doesn't hold a candle to Verbrannteis, a weapon forged from the Divergent Laws themselves. Sorry, Ennea. I will always have one over you in regards to archery. You might be more skilled in using a bow at the moment, but Archery is one thing I want to improve on during my time here in Erebonia. The Arseid Style, to which I have successfully created Basic Arseid Style over these couple of months, primarily deals with swords and spears. I have not tested out spears yet, perhaps one day.
It might have to be something I do on my own time, as the next place of interest, the Vander School, is all about swords. One-handed swords, two-handed swords, you name it. They even got dual-wielding swords too, much like a certain main character from Sword Art Online, haha!
Jokes aside, we saw Ennea spend a moment to whip out her bow from her back with ease. The bowstring flapped fiercely while staying locked in place, showing just how sturdy her bow was. It looked powerful. And since Ennea was affected by Gnosis, she has much better eyesight than most. Comparable to even my own when I have Vermillion Eyes active, but hers is all natural. It wouldn't be hard to say that she's the "Hawkeye" of Zemuria. Seeing Ennea now wielding her bow, Emma just looked at her, still in disbelief.
"This...is all quite hard to believe.", Emma uttered. "Are you really the Ennea I know? And what is with this 'Master' business?"
After Emma asked that, Ennea glanced my way.
"Oh dear me, you really haven't told Lady Millstein, even after all this time, Master? It pains my heart that she is still being kept in the dark~", Ennea said. I couldn't even react before she approached my way, and wrapped her hands around my back.
"Hahaha...", I laughed. "We were just about to, then you just so happened to drop in on us, Ennea. You see, Ennea's one of the girls I'm now seeing. She's part of the Royal Harem."
"E-EHHHHH!?", Emma exclaimed, letting her voice reach the Goddess's Halls once again. At this rate, she's going to lose her voice.
"Is it really that surprising, Lady Millstein? Master is a high-standing noble. It wouldn't make sense if he doesn't have servants under him. I just happen to be a little special. He opened his heart up to me~"
"Do you really have to put it that way?", I shot back, but enjoyed the hug. It was a weird feeling. It felt both warm and cold, taking into consideration the armor she was presently wearing.
"But am I wrong?"
"Not exactly...", I said, and sighed. It was then Laura spoke out, nodding her head in agreement.
"What you say is true. I wouldn't know where I would be if it weren't for Klaus at my side. He handles many day-to-day matters, which allows me to freely focus on my training. Servants play a major part in making things don't go sideways inside one's house.", Laura said.
"See? Even Lady Arseid agrees with what I have said.", Ennea happily replied. "And if you continue to reject reality like this Lady Millstein, I fear for what is to come later on."
"You know of me?", Laura asked, interested.
"Directly? No. I just managed to put two-and-two together, considering where we are and all.", Ennea said, and parted from her hug. She the turned around to look at Laura. "It is nice to meet you like this, Lady Arseid."
"Likewise. You seem to be someone who upholds a sense of duty and honor. I would not mind engaging in a bout with you at some point. You look strong.", Laura said, and accepted Ennea's greeting. Hearing that, Celine groaned.
"Ugh, is now really the right time to be doing introductions like this, you foolish noble? Let alone Emme taking in all of this, may I remind you all that we are in a monster-infested CASTLE!? There could still be more lurking around!", Celine complained.
"What's the harm in a short respite? Besides, you have those ears of yours. If any Monsters drop in unannounced, you'll be the first to know!", Tamamo said.
"Tama does have a point, Celine. Plus if we really were in danger, no one would escape my detection.", I said, ensuring everything was fine.
"I suppose you have a point, Naoto. Those eyes of yours no joke.", Celine responded. Emma smiled hearing Celine say that. It looks like her shock has subsided for now.
"This really is a lot to take in, but I do thank you for telling me, Naoto.", Emma said, looking at me. "And seeing that we've routed the monsters up to this place, why don't we head back for now?", Emma continued. "Besides, the fragment of the Great Power had already been claimed in this trial ground. I do not know by whom, but it has been inactive for quite some time. The activity in the Spirit Veins resting beneath this castle have subsided. We don't have any more purpose to stay here. Those otherworldly monsters likely won't be appearing again."
Right. Emma was always keen on these matters. During the first half of Cold Steel, she'd always remain vague on what was happening, while at the same time, try to explain it to Rean and the rest of Class VII. He has access to the Hexen Clan's history, so I bet she learned a lot of what the Great Power is. I won't go into great detail about it, but it's essentially the curse that engulfs Erebonia and its bloody history. A long time ago, the Great Power split off into seven pieces, to which would eventually become the Divine Knights. Only by combining the powers of each Divine Knight into one again would the Great One reveal itself, Erebonia's curse.
So that meant Testa-Rossa, the Vermillion Divine Knight, was a part of seven powers of the Great One. No doubt will I eventually clash against Rean once the Rivalries begin. But I have to do the Vermillion Trials first!
It would seem this drew Laura's interest. She raised her eyes after hearing Emma say that.
"I know the Knights of the Middle Ages used Lohengrin Castle as a base to carry out their operations to protect Emperor Dreichels during the War of the Lions, but our records did not go into further detail into what this place actually is. It truly is a trial ground?", Laura asked, only to shift her eyes to what appeared a gigantic sealed door in the near distance. It had an ancient seal in its center. "Is that what this is supposed to be?"
"I could only assume so.", Emma said, seeing the door inactive. To the Vermillion Trials I will be doing in the near future, it doesn't exactly have a door like this one does. Not like other trials like the Ashen Trials, the Azure Trials, or the Argent Trials. The latter, which is what this door holds. Or held, considering it has already been claimed by someone else. And I could take a guess as to who...
The Steel Maiden, Arianrhod. She became an Immortal after falling in battle during the War of the Lions, and successfully became the Argent Knight's pilot. That's how she's alive, even to this day. And this door in front of us is none other than the inactive Argent Trials.
"Is that the reason why so many inexplicable things happen inside the depths of this castle? Every so often we would get reports of Monsters running rampant. We usually rely on the local Bracers. I do not come by frequently, considering how dangerous it can be.", Laura mused, wondering if that really was the case.
"Spirit Veins work in mysterious ways. We don't even have a full understanding on how they work.", Celine said. "But it would be the reason why Monsters love this place so much, regardless of where they come from. Since Emma was able to confirm there's no more threat, we don't have any more business here. I'm hungry anyways, let's go back and get a bite to eat."
"Yeah! I can't get enough of the Rainbow Trout here!", Tamamo added.
"Haha.", I laughed. "Then let's go back. Will you come with us, Ennea?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot join the Party you have formed, Master. I currently have tasks on my plate to take care of. Coming here was just happenstance. I will not interrupt you while you are on your journey. I shall leave that to Lady Millstein at her discretion.", Ennea continued, only to wink one of her eyes at Emma.
"That...", Emma uttered, not immediately replying.
"Now, now, Ennea. There can only be enough teasing for one day. But there is one thing I would like to point out before we head back. This concerns you, Laura.", I said, deciding to shift the topic.
"Hmm? What would that be, Naoto?", Laura asked.
"Thanks to that battle just now, I have reached the limit of the basic level of your school's swordsmanship. I am afraid there is not much else to improve on until I continue to master the Arseid Style on my own.", I said. Laura came to a realization after letting that thought register in her head. I even saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"So you're stating your business is done here in Legram.", Laura said. This didn't go unnoticed. Ennea smiled seeing Laura react like this.
"Oh my oh my, are you suggesting you are going to miss Master once he leaves the town, Lady Arseid?", Ennea said with a playful tone.
"Don't fan the flames, you stupid maid.", Celine retorted.
[Ding! Seeing Gamer Naoto's progress reach the height of Basic Mastery in the Arseid School of Swordsmanship, Laura's Favorability has risen to 50%.]
I'm...just going to ignore that. But it is good to see Favorability progress when it happens. I've only gotten to know Laura for a couple months, but she's great to be around. Plus, we've often spar against one another. It was quite noisy back at the time I spent inside the Arseid Dojo. Training on your own can only carry you so far. It's much more efficient if you have someone you can fight against.
"Hahaha.", Laura laughed, feigning ignorance. "It has reached that point. Before you set off wherever the Goddess will carry you next, I shall inform Klaus that we will hold a feast tonight. You can even invite Toval over."
Toval...? Oh right, he was there, wasn't he?
"Oh great. Now you remember that I exist. You can be cruel sometimes, Young Missus.", Toval's voice reached out to us, only to appear from another corner. "I've been here all along, I'll have you know. How could you fight against those weird-looking Monsters without me?"
"My bad, my bad. I'll give you an extra serving tonight as a token of apology. How about that?", Laura asked, looking at the blonde-haired man who was now beside us.
"Add in your finest locally-brewed ale and perhaps I'll look the other way. Just this once.", Toval said, and smiled. "Still, you kiddos sure are somethin'. I didn't even have to step in. You stomped all those Monsters into the curb!"
"All's well that ends well, right?", I said. "Consider your contract with me fulfilled, Toval. Once we leave tomorrow, you are free to continue your work as a Bracer."
"Consider it done. It was a pleasure workin' with ya, even if it was only little while.", Toval said with a nod of his head. "And I know when I shouldn't stick my nose into places where it don't belong. What was talked about here, I'll just turn a blind eye to it. The Great One, eh? Sounds like this land has a lot more history lurking beneath the surface than what it has seen."
"That's putting it simply.", Emma nodded.
"I ain't some history buff, so I'll pass on all that mumbo-jumbo. Can we go already? I'm starving.", Fie said.
It was then we all heard a stomach growl, causing us to pause in our tracks. And it didn't come from Tamamo this time.
"Hahaha!", I laughed, hearing Fie's stomach speak for itself. We all earned a meal tonight. I then turned toward Ennea. "You said you have places to be right, Ennea? Can't you at least spare a single evening and join us?"
"Well...It's not like I'm doing anything urgent tonight. I suppose I can let a single night slide.", Ennea answered before pondering for a moment. "I'll just have to send out a little message saying I won't be around."
Guess Ennea must be referring to Duvalie and Ines. I smiled. "Perfect. Let's go already."
Just like that, we had no more business here at Lohengrin Castle. I had a blast exploring it. You'd get to do this in the games during Cold Steel I when Class VII's Field Studies takes them there. But that wouldn't be for a few more years! Since Laura knows Emma and Fie ahead of time, we'll see how that goes.
As we left the innermost room that held the entrance to the finished Argent Trials, I shot a smile at a shadowy figure resting within one of the windowless window sills off to the side, before leaving the room entirely.
"Hmph. So he noticed after all.", A voice spoke, appearing annoyed.
"Nothing really escapes his gaze. You'll get used to it, Duvalie.", A second voice spoke, also sounding familiar. "We didn't have a need to step in to clear out the Monsters this time. It looks like we owe His Royal Highness another favor.
"Don't speak such foolishness, Ines. Letting Ennea head with him back to Legram to enjoy a night out is more than enough to pay back the favor. I couldn't care less as to what she does next, as long as she knows when to regroup to head out to our next destination.", The first voice said, with a scoff.
Of course, those two were Duvalie and Ines. They arrived halfway through the boss fight, and watched from afar. Their presence went unnoticed for the most part, but Naoto easily detected them.
Just like Naoto's group, the two also had no more business here in Lohengrin Castle, to which they actively use as a base now that they're the Stahlritter. They too, went on their way.
As for Naoto's group, all soon enjoyed a well-deserved feast. It acted as a farewell to Laura. In due time, the two will meet again. Potentially at Thors Military Academy.
It was time for Naoto to continue his adventure. Now with Emma and Fie in tow!