As Mueller questioned existence itself while going through the multiple stages of grief within the recess of his eyes, I just stood there smiling back at him. Letting Mueller come to his senses, Amberl Tower soon saw more activity.
The duo swiftly eliminated all the drones that spawned in. Since Naoto wasn't around, they couldn't see any Gamer Notifications go off. To them, it was just fighting Monsters. Surely and quickly, they made their way to the top of the tower. Renne and Loewe expected to be greeted by the sunlight from outside of the tower, but that didn't happen.
What stood before the two was a twisted atmosphere, acting as if space itself was now in a constant state of flux. Around them was the same giant, amber-colored barrier. Only from within. If anyone on the outside saw this, they'd be looking at nothing, just like a one-way mirror. They saw a constant blast of an unknown energy source coming from the center of the rooftop. The exact same position where Gospel could be slotted into. The only thing missing at this point was the sound of a bell tolling, but that was unique to Crossbell. Amberl Tower was situated in Liberl.
It did not take long for Renne and Loewe to realize they were no longer alone. Spotting one of the two figures, Loewe frowned.
"Well this is just unsavory, even for my tastes.", Loewe said, frowning. As for Renne, she just turned silent. A hint of rage appeared in her eyes. She tightly gripped onto her scythe. Compared to the first figure before them who appeared humanlike, the second figure was nothing but. It was gigantic, akin to that of a mechanoid doll. A mechanoid doll that Renne was very familiar with.
"You dare mimic Pater-Mater...", Renne uttered. It was rare to see her genuinely angry. "Hmph. You are but a simple imitation that cannot even hope to match up to the real thing. I'll show you!"
"You really are going to call him here?", Loewe asked, only to take another glance of the figure in front of him. His eyes remained serious. Loewe expected he would be fighting against himself, but no. What stood before him was a dead-eyed Hollow Joshua. He didn't speak, but he was releasing quite a deadly pressure. One that the Black Fang does. He had his dual daggers brandished before him.
"I don't even need to call him. Pater-Mater is already here.", Renne said, turning toward Loewe. The initial hatred she felt subsided. She was now grinning at Loewe. At the same time, the two heard a loud crack that struck the amber-colored barrier. CRACKKK!
The bending space-time flux beside the two then twisted around, revealing a very large purple, mechanical doll landing down beside them. The amber barrier soon repaired itself, but it was enough to allow the spatial distortion to finish. Pater-Mater arrived, landing beside Renne. His size was very similar to the Hollow Pater-Mater in front of them. It was exactly the same!
"Pater-Mater can even do spatial teleportation?", Loewe asked, musing at Pater-Mater's arrival.
"Of course he can. He isn't some half-wit fake. You know what to do, Pater-Mater. KILL THEM ALL!", Renne angrily shouted, pointing her scythe outward. She said that, despite there only being two enemies in front of her.
Loewe could only sigh, seeing Renne do this, but didn't attempt to stop her. Instead his eyes remained fixed on the Hollow Joshua present before him. But now, Loewe has a new ally. A bonafide mech, and the first of its kind within the Gordias-class series that the Sixth Anguis of Ouroboros was actively developing. Other mechs would later get revealed down the line as the beginning of what would be eventually called the Aion series. And the Aions debut in the finale of Azure, when the Sixth Anguis gifts them to the Divine Child after her reawakening.
And the mech beside the two just so happened to form a connection with Renne, who was no more than eight or nine years old this year. Such a scary thought, isn't it?
Right at this very moment, however, the only thing that was on Renne's mind was the destruction of the Hollow Pater-Mater, and Hollow Joshua. Her anger wouldn't subside until the two were completely annihilated. In response, Loewe initiated his own combat, and the battle began!
With their last trial of Amberl Tower now underway, the two were now busy, engaged in combat.
Back in Erebonia, enough time passed where the scenery changed. The commotion died down, and it no longer focused on Parm's entrance. The orbal car that came to a screeching halt there also was no longer there. Instead, it was now toward the back of the town where the mayor's house stood. Next to this building was a large, three-story building that had a wooden placard hoisted high up. On it read the text, "Vander Training Hall". It was very similar to the Arseid Dojo back in Legram, but this place taught a different form of swordsmanship. The Vander Style!
If the Radiant Blademaster was considered the second strongest swordsman in all of Erebonia, then the Thunder God, aka Matteus Vander, held onto the number one position. It was rare that Victor and Matteus clashed against each other. One's lineage used to serve as Knights to the Imperial Family, while the other served as the Emperor's personal bodyguards. They each held different roles, but their teachings have passed down to this day. And in the far distant future, the Thunder God would place it upon himself to challenge Class VII after the events of Cold Steel I and Cold Steel II.
The Vander Training Hall located here in Parm wasn't considered the main branch of the Vander School, however. Its main branch was located in none other than Erebonia, Heimdallr. It wasn't far from Valflame Palace. And apart from primarily using one-handed and two-handed swords, it taught dual blades, and even blades called naginata. These naginatas were similar to spears, but they had a blade attached at the end of the long pole. These naginatas were especially popular with girls, which allowed them to parry larger weapons.
Kurt Vander, Mueller Vander's younger brother, also trained in the dual-blade style due to his stature and build. He wasn't as sturdy as Mueller or the Thunder God was, but that didn't stop him from learning the Vander Style Swordsmanship. After all, just as Mueller was, Kurt was also a Vander. He even becomes playable once New Class VII is formed in Cold Steel III onward!
Sadly for Kurt who was about to depart for the main branch back in Heimdallr, he was interrupted by the appearance of yours truly. Me. Kurt didn't seem to be annoyed by it, to my surprise. Instead, I could see curiosity in his eyes. The one who had an annoyed look wasn't Kurt. Right now, Emma, Fie and I saw Mueller, dressed in his military garb with a sword at his waist, looking at us with a mark of anger on his forehead.
Mueller disregarded the fact that I had developed a close bond with the one he serves, Crown Prince Olivert. It wasn't just me, but even Emma and Fie could be seen seated in a seiza position. Basically, our knees were underneath our legs, seated before Mueller. Right smack dab in the middle of the training area.
"So, have you decided to repent, Your Excellency?", Mueller asked me, still angry. "I did not think I would have my travel plans interrupted like this. I was about to head out to bring my younger brother to Heimdallr so Father can oversee the next portion of his training. But that completely went out the window.", Mueller continued, and let out a drawn-out sigh. His anger soon vanished.
"Naoto's the one who caused it, so tell me why I need to do this too?", Fie retorted. "We're just going along for the ride. We're not even nobles."
"Hahaha...", Emma uttered, letting out a dry laugh. "Just keep quiet for now, alright, Fie?"
"I don't see an issue with this.", I said, remaining aloof.
"Don't you know how many international laws you are breaking by just being here!?", Mueller exclaimed, angry again. "You know what, I'm so not dealing with this. I won't even question why you are posing as military students. So instead, I'll ask this. Does Her Majesty know?"
"Me being here in Erebonia? Yes. I already took the necessary steps to make sure I can even be here. Grandmother just doesn't know we're posing as military students. That was just a little act of mine. Would you prefer if I put on my title of Duke?", I asked, smiling at Mueller. Mueller just looked back at me, not sure of how to answer that. He didn't have to let his thoughts linger, though. We heard a voice speak out to him. Kurt was right nearby. Apart from appearing curious, he was still confused. It makes sense, Kurt hadn't met us yet.
"I do apologize for interrupting...whatever this is, Brother, but who exactly are these people? It is clear you are acquainted with them. Or this boy, to be specific. He seems familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it...", Kurt uttered, still looking my way.
It was as if he received a cold bucket of water splashing on his face. Mueller turned toward the side, and saw Kurt with a confused look in his eyes. Hearing Kurt ask that, Mueller couldn't help but sigh again. He couldn't remain angry forever.
"Ahh. I should at least introduce you, Kurt. I could fathom a guess as to why you are here, but seeing the direction to which this is going, you may even spend some time with this boy, Kurt. I can't explain everything, but this person is a good friend of His Imperial Highness. To be specific, he is Naoto von Auslese, Crown Prince of Liberl.", Mueller declared, before looking back my way. "I take it you want to continue your swordsmanship, Your Highness? It doesn't matter what Title you currently hold."
"That's the simple reason why I have made my way here, yes.", I said. The smile remained on my lips. But that sudden title drop took a good moment for it to register in Kurt's head. His eyes turned wide in shock, realizing who it was before him.
"Y-You're Liberl's Crown Prince!?", Kurt exclaimed, full of disbelief.
"Haha.", I laughed again. "It's a pleasure, Kurt. I've been acquainted with your brother for quite some time, courtesy of His Imperial Highness. I do have interest in learning the Vander Style to help progress my own way of the sword. That is, if you'll have me.", I said, formally introducing myself to Kurt Vander here at the Vander Training Hall.