"This is...a Combat Orbment? It's not one I've come across before.", Claire said, taking a look at the Enigma II in my hand. It was equivalent to that of a flip phone in my previous life. It can even act like one too, as long as there's orbal waves nearby!
A process that is currently in the midst of being developed. All spearheaded by Tio Plato and Professor Schmidt. How are they doing since they left Grancel Castle before I came here to Erebonia?
"I had this baby developed by one of the topmost engineers back at the ZCF, who is in frequent communication with the Epstein Foundation. It is still considered a prototype. This particular model won't reach the production line a few years out still.", I explained, while keeping it vague on who worked on it. It was through Erika Russell and Professor Schmidt's hard work that I can use the Enigma II much earlier than when it's supposed to appear!
"A specialized Combat Orbment that hasn't even reached the production line...", Emperor Eugent said, feeling amazed. "The Epstein Foundation has really come a long way, hasn't it? I hear they're trying to install the Orbal Network in Crossbell City as of late, before they move onto areas. And you used a well-known engineer who resides in Liberl?"
Giliath also nodded in agreement, acting as if he had anticipated this.
"Indeed. The Foundation's latest technological advances have been improving our standard of living at a rapid pace. Installing the Orbal Network in Crossbell City is one such focus. They're presently working with the Reinford Group to install general home compliances for our people, like orbal dishwashers. We really have come a far way since the Orbal Revolution kicked off. It's been nearly fifty years since.", Giliath said, providing some insight from his end. "We are currently on the third generation of Combat Orbments. It likely won't be long for the fourth generation to reach the markets."
"I sure haven't seen this model before. It looks quite fancy too.", Princess Alfin added. She hadn't a single clue about the Enigma II in my hand.
That makes sense, since we don't see this generation until Azure. The fifth generation Combat Orbments. After that is the model that appears in Daybreak, the sixth generation. That one is still years out. A shame I didn't get to see the Xipha in action. I hear it has many, many more Slots than its predecessors. Several times the amount. Like four or five times?
"It isn't just that. This device that I have isn't just used to assist us in battle. It also features several new functions, including a way to communicate long distances. But like I said, this is but a prototype. That particular function won't be available until the Orbal Network is more widespread.", I said.
"...This device will allow us to communicate with others across long distances!?", Claire responded, looking surprised. "That would definitely be of most use to those in the Imperial Army, and to us in the RMP. It will make reports much easier."
"That is indeed a good point, Claire.", Giliath said, nodding his head in agreement. "But what do you have to tell us by showing us this Combat Orbment, Your Royal Highness? I'm sure just showing it off isn't the only reason why you took it out."
"It isn't.", I said, nodding my head. "Just don't be too alarmed, alright? One of the leading disciples of the Foundation is currently over his head on this matter. Professor Schmidt. If possible, Your Excellency, I want you to investigate this matter. It may not be as secretive while we were in that room, but I want this to be taken seriously."
How I reached this conclusion is Father himself. I want to learn more about AI KeA. With the connections Father has, he can get in touch with those in the Black Workshop. they're expert craftsmen unlike the Hexen Clan. If the Epstein Foundation is having a hard time trying to figure where AI KeA came from, then perhaps it is time to change perspectives. That is why I am thinking of reaching out to the Black Workshop.
But because I am aligned with the Hexen Clan and Roselia, I will not do this directly. Father has connections to the Gnomes. I don't. It's just a chance, so I don't know if anything will come of this, but it is worth a shot. At the very least, they'll be interested due to the fact that AI KeA is an artificial intelligence composed of orbal energy.
I just hope by doing this, this won't distract Professor Schmidt from making the Panzar Soldats. They play a crucial part in the October War, and the latter half of the next decade.
I didn't stop there. Without hesitation, I pressed the button on the Enigma II.
It opened on its own. Before long, we all saw a little creature with elf-like ears and long, azure-colored hair flowing down her head (A/N: I'm changing the hair color from green to azure).
The little artificial being barely wore anything to cover her, but she knew to cover up her important bits. Two translucent wings stuck out of her back, just like how a small pixie would look like from another series I enjoy, Shin Megami Tensei. Except this little one here is much more pixelated. She is constantly phasing in and out of existence, just like how an AI would behave. After heading here to Heimdallr from Legram, I decided it was best for AI KeA to take another rest.
AI KeA took a moment to stretch her arms out, waking up from a deep sleep. She even rubbed her eyes. The moment AI KeA became visible to those around me, they became shocked, or had confusion all over their eyes. As for Father, his gaze turned serious. It didn't take long for AI KeA to wake up, and her wings started to flutter. Lifting up into the air, AI KeA looked at me.
"Is it playtime again already, Master?", AI KeA asked me.
"Not exactly, KeA. I want to introduce you to some people.", I said, causing AI KeA to turn around. It was then she realized it wasn't just us. Seeing new faces, AI KeA became excited, and began to rapidly flutter her wings while flying around us from up above.
"D-Did this creature just talk?", Princess Alfin asked, being the first one to speak as she observed AI KeA flying around without a care in the world.
"I'm at a loss for words here...", Claire murmured. "Just what exactly is this creature, Your Royal Highness? This is nothing like that fox you have."
"I detect no Mana either. Just how in Aidios's name did you get her?", Emma asked, and frowned. "Just what happened while I was gone!?"
"Haha.", I laughed. "You can rest assured Emma, you needn't to worry about this little one. There is a very good reason why you can't sense any Mana from KeA. Unlike us, she simply doesn't have any. Zilch.", I continued to say, only to look up at AI KeA. "Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone, KeA?"
"Okie-dokie, Master!", AI KeA happily said. "I do not know who you all are, but you can call me KeA! I am an artificially created being, created as a byproduct of Master's Enigma II after it successfully fused with the Second Genesis. It is nice to meet all of you.", AI KeA said, introducing herself. "My sole purpose of existence is to assist Master in any way shape or form, whether it be recording data, or assisting Master in battle!"
"Or so KeA says.", I added. "I do not have a single clue what any of this means, and neither does Professor Schmidt. He had been holed up at the Foundation the moment he heard the term, "Second Genesis". He has yet to provide me with a report."
"Artificial...intelligence?", Emperor Eugent frowned. "Does the Foundation even possess such technology in this day and age? I have not come across this before either."
"Indeed, the Foundation should not possess such technology. I was not made aware of any such matters to date.", Giliath said, and shook his head. "I take it you want me to look into this, just like how Professor Schmidt is doing at the Foundation, Your Royal Highness."
"You are quick on the uptake as usual, Your Excellency.", I happily replied, and nodded. "It doesn't have to be now, considering our current position and all. I just wanted to introduce KeA to you all. KeA, you can go explore to your hearts' content, alright? Just be sure you return later. By the time we finish our business here, we will be back atop inside the palace."
"Yay!", AI KeA said, quickly nodding her head. "You're the best, Master."
Before anyone could react, they all saw AI KeA do a twirl, before vanishing from sight, acting as if nothing had happened.
"So the little one's name is KeA. After observing her current behavior for a moment, she is strikingly similar to a young child. Now I know why I cannot detect any Mana from her. She truly doesn't have any. Astonishing.", Emma said, wondering how that was the case. That really is a thing, eh? She cannot detect AI KeA. Perhaps it is because the bond I share with her that I can sense when AI KeA is close by, but I cannot say for certain. It requires more testing.
The thought of being able to create something that has no Mana whatsoever is quite scary to think about.
"Pretty much.", I said. "I can only assume KeA was born the moment the Enigma II became bound to me. It was completed when I was still in Grancel Castle. I've been letting KeA roam about to absorb as much knowledge and data as she can when I move from place to place like this."
"Heehee.", Princess Alfin giggled. "You really are amazing, Naoto. I did not think I would get to see such a cute creature. Will I see more of her during your stay here in Heimdallr?"
"Of course you will, Alfin. There will be plenty of opportunities.", I happily replied. As for Father, his eyes remained on me, now that AI KeA was gone for the time being.
"You can rest assured I will look into this matter, Your Royal Highness. Not everyone out there is capable of doing something like this.", Giliath said, assuring me he would look into this.
Like I said, I am taking a risk by doing this, but I don't think there is any better person than to have Father look into it. If I reached out to Roselia, all she would do is just complain about AI KeA's existence, haha!
Instead, Father can, at his own pace, try to figure out AI KeA's origins. That's the hope, anyway. The only thing we know now is that AI KeA is related to the embedded device in the center slot of the Enigma II, the Second Genesis. Hell, I don't even know what the Genesis is, or what it does. It sounds like there's multiple of them. Perhaps that is the first thing I should use Vermillion Eyes on to learn more about? I wouldn't be opposed to doing that.
Now that AI KeA was having fun at her own pace, the fervor around us began to calm down. The excitement of meeting her faded. We were still on the platform that was descending. It soon came to a halt.
Sheesh. We were on this platform for a full, thirty minutes! Is this what Loki felt when Doctor Strange portaled him into an endless loop? Haha!
Jokes aside, it is 10:30 PM now. We were a very, very long distance below Valflame Palace now. Cathunk. The platform stopped moving altogether.
"Looks like we finally made it to the bottom. Definitely several hundred arge deep.", Claire said.
"The descent sure was long! What is that thing in the distance?", Princess Alfin asked, looking toward a particular direction. "It looks just like a knight in shining armor. Is this perhaps Testa-Rossa?"
In the distance stood several roots of the Infernal Castle firmly rooted into the ground. They sprouted up in a spiral pattern, coiling around each other. As its branches rose higher and higher, what stood before us was none other than Testa-Rossa. Behind him was a giant, heart-like crystal, pulsing a vermillion hue at a steady pace. This was the place Testa-Rossa was sealed in. The inactive Infernal Castle!
By completing the upcoming Vermillion Trials I would have a chance to claim Testa-Rossa as my own. But not as a possession, as a partner. Those who pilot Divine Knights all do it as such. Barring Rufus. The Divine Knights have wills of their own!
"!?", I tried to say. But the moment I tried to take a single step, I saw everything around me turn black and white. At the same time, a deep pressure struck my entire body. It was giant, like I was being held down by a large boulder. It suddenly brought me down to my knees, and I began to heavily pant.
"Cough, cough...", I continued, unable to speak.
"Naoto!?", Princess Alfin said, being the first one to respond after seeing me do this all of sudden. She approached me with a worried look.
"Naoto!", Emma also said in a panic, and approached me. "Are you alright? Did you try to connect with him just now?"
"Connect?", Princess Alfin asked, becoming confused.
"I'm...alright.", I uttered, taking in a deep breath to regain my composure. "I'm sorry for that blunder just now. Everything that has happened so far, I can only say it is real. We did try to connect to one another just now."
"You really do share a connection with the Vermillion Knight then...", Emperor Eugent said, watching me react like this.
"Shall we go give him a greeting?", Giliath decided to ask.
"Yes. Let us go meet Testa-Rossa. It is not yet time until the Vermillion Trials, but we should take this opportunity to do so.", I said, feeling normal again.
Hearing that, everyone nodded. Emma stood by my side, as did Princess Alfin to the other side. We all began to walk forward. Everyone followed us.
It was quite a marvelous sight. I was now within reaching distance of the one and only Vermillion Knight, Testa-Rossa! Not through a consciousness like what happened a decade ago. This guy is the real deal!
We are so close to each other that I could place my hand on him!
In fact, I proceeded to do so!
"Naoto...", Emma uttered, seeing me do this. But she didn't stop me.
"Did you miss me, buddy?", I spoke, calling out to Testa-Rossa. "It really is a pleasure to finally meet you like this. It will not be long now."
In response to that, this single action of mine stirred a reaction. Emma raised her eyes in surprise as a subtle glow appeared in Testa-Rossa's eye sockets. It was as if he had just woken up from a deep slumber. With me being up close like this, I felt a rhythmic beat of a heart. While Testa-Rossa may just be a machine, he, along with the other Divine Knights, were so much more than that!
"So you have finally reached the site of the Infernal Castle. My Awakener.", A deep voice spoke out, as if it spoke directly into our minds...