With Rufus Albarea taking the lead, Jusis Albarea hurried off after his older brother, and ignored the surprised Pikachu-face stares from the rest of the Nobles, only to make their way inside Valflame Palace. The falling snow painted a stark contrast to the vermillion splendor the castle currently held.
While that happened, many waiters and waitresses could be seen, some hurried, some with calm expressions, carrying around trays that had different beverages on them. Some of these drinks were alcoholic too. They also had matching appetizers that pair well with the drinks that were being served. Valflame Palace knew what to do when it came to cooking. They have several professional-level chefs on deck that can be called on a whim. It's Valflame Palace, after all. One of the most luxurious, and long-lived places in all of Erebonia. And Naoto got to experience that fine-dining for himself just earlier in the day during the banquet His Imperial Majesty held.
Some time had passed since then. Noble guests began to arrive one after another. As that happened, a different scene could be seen taking place back outside, toward an obscure alleyway that was hard to see from the public eye. It was presently occupied by not one, but two figures. One of them appeared illusory, acting as if their entire being was fading in and out of existence. A person who doesn't seem to age a day no matter how much time passes.
"Are you sure you aren't going to bid farewell to that student of yours, Immovable?", Campanella asked as his voice echoed in the dark alleyway. If one had a close look, a fiery, green magic circle could be seen active beneath his feet. That is why he appeared illusory right now. In response to that, the second figure, who crossed his arms, calmly looked up into the sky and observed the snow gently falling down. He was Zin, of course. He has not departed from the capital yet.
After being initially invited by Chancellor Osborne, more time had passed since then. Campanella and Zin didn't partake in the banquet hosted for Naoto's group. Instead, the two had made their way back outside, at least for a little while.
"Nah. I see no reason to.", Zin said, shaking his head. "Sherryl has already found her path forward. If I do any more than what has already been done, it will not hold any purpose. The rest is on her now. My guidance as Sherryl's Teacher has come to a close.", Zin continued, before moving his head to look at Campanella. "On the contrary, I'm more surprised by your actions today. Have you gone soft, Fool?"
"Hahaha.", Campanella laughed. "I did declare my intentions when I first came here, did I not? I am merely seeing a friend off, just as you have done with your pupil.", Campanella said. Then, his lips curved upward into a grin. "Though to be honest, that is not my main purpose in coming here. Courtesy of His Excellency as you have seen earlier today, I have come to check up on what lies beneath this castle. It is soon to awaken after all."
"That...", Zin paused. "You're referring to the Vermillion Trials, yes? I fear this land will descend into chaos the moment that Divine Knight or whatever it's called wakes up.", Zin continued, revealing a frown on his face.
"It's exactly as you say, Immovable. Honestly, I'd suggest staying far away from the capital. But considering your nature, you're going to stick around to see what happens. Besides, His Royal Highness invited you to his "Party", did he not?", Campanella grinned as he asked that.
"Why am I not surprised you know about that? I can't trust you snakes after all.", Zin said, and sighed. "That isn't the only reason why I'm staying around, though. I came up to check up on a certain bastard you are VERY familiar with, considering he's one of you. I can't back down half-way from it, so I'll be staying in Erebonia for a little while longer than what I had originally intended for."
"Fair enough.", Campanella responded with a nod. "Though next time, we may meet each other as enemies. It depends if you decide to align yourself with His Royal Highness or not. At the time, do give me a show worthy of those martial arts skills you possess.", Campanella continued with a grin. In the next moment or two, Campanella's figure became much more illusory.
It did not take long before Campanella vanished from sight. He bid Zin farewell with a bow. A gesture he often likes to do.
From there, Zin soon found himself alone while the snowfall continued. He was not wearing much apart from his martial arts gi, but he did not find it terribly cold. His body was packed with muscle. Just that alone kept him warm for the most part, even though Zin saw his own breath escape from his mouth. During this, his eyes began to wander.
"Well that was somewhat anticlimactic.", Zin murmured. "Still, I'd say coming here was worth it. And knowing that I'm going to be sticking around in Erebonia for a little while longer, I might as well hit up the other guild branches and see how they're faring, now that His Royal Highness is here and all. Now that I think about it, didn't Kilika express her interest in this "Party" business or whatever?"
As Zin thought that, he was surprised to meet Chancellor Osborne back inside Valflame Palace for a brief time. Even though Zin and Campanella did not partake in the banquet, Zin received an invitation to attend the ball that was currently in the preparing stage. And to his surprise, even Campanella received an invitation!
Sadly, Campanella was quick to turn the invitation down, stating he had a place to return to. Likewise, Zin turned his invitation down as well. Zin wasn't much of a dancer. He didn't know how to dance, nor was he a Noble. If he went into such a scene, it'd be awkward as all hell for him. Let alone his stature alone. He's akin to that of a bear!
Nonetheless, Chancellor Osborne respected their respective wishes, and didn't persuade the two to stay. From thereafter, Zin and Campanella watched the ongoing scene from afar in this obscure alleyway. He only felt it was right to do so. Taking a moment to look up at the snow again, Zin pondered what to do next.
"I should go contact Kilika, if anything. She recently received that promotion to guild manager in Zeiss, and that should come into play any day now...", Zin murmured, wondering where he should go from here. And yet, his voice was loud enough for him to hear a familiar female's voice reach his ears. He didn't even need a moment to whip his head around, looking at a particular direction in the alleyway Zin was currently in.
"Ufufu, there's no need to go out of your way to do that now, is there, Zin?", A bewitching voice said, reaching Zin's ears. Shortly after, a shadow of a figure emerged from further within. It was a woman, and she didn't appear to be alone this time around. A man, dressed in a cloak, took out a cigarette, and enjoyed a puff of smoke.
"Heh. Didn't think we'd come across each other under these circumstances.", The man said. After enjoying a puff, he grinned.
Zin's eyes became serious the moment the two's eyes met. The man continued grinning at Zin while his eyes remained hidden in the shades he was wearing over his eyes.
"You bastard, you dare show yourself in front of me like this...!", Zin roared, becoming angry. To someone like Zin, it isn't often to let his anger take a hold of himself. He rushed forward. The woman didn't do anything, and simply allowed Zin to reach his hands out, only to grab onto the man's cloak. He even lifted the man into the air effortlessly.
"Oioioi, I didn't come here to fight you, dumbass. If I had, we'd already be fighting. I know we have a score to settle and all, but we can save it for later. Capiche?", The man said, ignoring the fact he was currently lifted up into the air right now. His voice was very rough, similar to that of a ruffian. To ease Zin's nerves, the woman decided to speak as she nodded her head.
"It is true, Zin. Try to think rationally about this, alright? Now is neither the time or place to do that. You very well know that, Zin.", The woman said, who was, of course, Kilika Rouran. That should hint as to who this man before Zin was.
Walter Kron. AKA, Enforcer No. VIII, Walter the Direwolf. He is one of the many Enforcers within Ouroboros!
But currently, Walter is one of the Enforcers Naoto has yet to meet for the first time. Similar to Zin, he currently walks the path of Taito, but took a different route. The reason why Zin hates Walter's guts is because Walter killed their Master, who just so happened to be Kilika's father, Ryuga Rouran. Master Ryuga taught all three in Taito, before Walter's fight to the death took place. Since then, Walter went onto his own path, developing a technique that he likes to call the Murderous Fist.
Ignoring the puff of smoke that was sent into his face, Zin simply looked at Kilika for a moment, then sighed. Walter didn't even attempt to raise a finger. He did nothing.
"Walter isn't here to cause trouble, Zin.", Kilika continued.
"You're right, Kilika. Now is not the place to do that.", Zin responded, and placed Walter back down onto the ground.
"Tch, about damn time you realized that, you bastard.", Walter responded, still showing a hint of anger in his obscured eyes. Zin's anger petered out. As that happened, his curiosity grew, seeing Walter beside Kilika. That doesn't happen for no reason.
Ignoring Walter's comment, Zin spoke to Kilika.
"I did not think I would catch you all the way out here in Erebonia of all places, Kilika. You aren't one to be irrational like this bastard here. I bet you're here with a reason.", Zin guessed.
"Right as ever, Zin. For now, I can only say some pieces have begun to move. It looks like you have interest in reaching out to the rest of that "Party", but His Imperial Highness Olivert just so happened to be one step ahead of you. He reached out to us, you see. I am sure like the rest, Prince Olivert has interest in what is bound to this land.", Kilika explained.
"Crown Prince Olivert reached out to you?", Zin asked, becoming surprised. "And not just you, he reached out to that onion-haired priest, and the Golden Rakshasa?"
"So it would seem, heh.", Walter mused. "Shit's about to go down here whether you like it or not. I'm just here to experience the fun. Just did the one thing I had to do first. I just so happen to be on a break right now."
"Is that right?", Zin replied, keeping a cool head. "I still don't agree with you, of all people, being here, but I suppose it can't be helped. I can't help but notice you've brought a friend with you. Or an acquaintance?"
Even though Zin was interested in why Prince Olivert decided to reach out to the people Naoto invited to partake in the Vermillion Trials, his interest now shifted toward what appeared to be a figure whose figure was entirely cloaked and hidden. It was hard to tell whether they were a man, or a woman. They even had their face hidden away in a good, and a mask. This cloaked figure remained silent for a moment before they approached the three from the shadows.
"...I am Yin. That is all that you need to know."
Zin's thoughts spurred for a moment before his eyes turned wide as saucers.
"Yin? You're not referring to THAT Yin, are you!? The demon xiongshou of Calvard's Eastern Quarter!?", Zin exclaimed. Genuine shock was now in his eyes as he observed the figure before him...