Meanwhile, as four girls, who once enjoyed the new years' ball the night prior, departed into the capital, a different scene could now be seen taking place toward Valflame Palace. In particular, the bridge again where the entrance was. Before long, an icy, blue-haired woman stepped out, decked out in her grey uniform and cap on her head. A small, yet powerful orbal pistol could be seen at her waist. This was Claire, of course. She could now be seen on duty again for the RMP.
Next to Claire was none other than Chancellor Osborne, donning his dark gray-purple overcoat which stretched down toward his legs. Even though a single day had passed, he seemed even older than he was before. A few more white strands of hair streaked down his face. Yet it was chiseled to perfection, with a very touch exterior, and a sharp nose. This look made his gaze much more intimidating to the eyes for anyone who looked at him.
Even though the sun was on its path toward high noon, it was only 7:15AM. The girls left Valflame Palace fifteen minutes ago. While the Imperial Guards returned to normal after feeling that short burst of killing intent, they couldn't help but feel a different pressure. Seeing Chancellor Osborne arrive with Claire, they couldn't help but gulp down a cold breath of air.
"Are you certain you do not want to stay around for one or two days longer, Your Excellency? Most of the officers are off busy celebrating the new year this week with their families. A few of us have remained behind, like me. I'm here to catch up on any slack the rest of us may have been dealing with. Do not overwork yourself, alright?", Claire asked with a hint of worry in her eyes.
It isn't like Claire had much family to return to for that matter, either. Her immediate family all perished in a devastating car accident, and while the Rieveldt Company might be amongst the higher brands when it comes to musical equipment, that place was being run by her distant relatives, including a particular cousin who will be introduced starting in Cold Steel III, Michael Rieveldt. As such, Claire often divulges herself into her work, and that helps alleviate any stress she accumulates from her studies at Thors Military Academy.
Once upon a time, Chancellor Osborne too studied at Thors Military Academy. But that was decades ago. Seeing Claire's worry in her eyes, Chancellor Osborne laughed.
"Haha, I am grateful for you always looking after me, Icy Maiden. But in times like these, we must be proactive, no?", Giliath asked with a grin over his face. "And regardless, you are aware of what you have been assigned to do while I will be away on my travels, yes?"
"Yes, Your Excellency.", Claire nodded. "I will be sure those girls will stay protected from the shadows. I say that, but they have sufficient strength to take care of themselves. I doubt I will do much to intervene.", Claire continued, and saluted Chancellor Osborne.
"It is just a mindless worry of mine, so thank you, Icy Maiden.", Giliath responded with a nod. "I was not expecting to feel such a short burst of killing intent. Do not underestimate them. Only intercept if it is a life-and-death situation."
"Understood.", Claire nodded back. "Emma and Fie I can acknowledge the strength they have, but Miss Renne and Lady Egret, however, I do not know of the latter. I am a bit worried since they do have a Noble walking amongst their group. But you know, why must you leave now? His Royal Highness and Her Imperial Highness offered you to have breakfast with them. You could at least accompany them until then, right?"
"I could, yes. Unfortunately, not this time. Please give them my regards later.", Chancellor Osborne said, and shook his head. "I have a few destinations I must head to, one being Garrelia Fortress to observe the progress of the railway cannons. Before that, I plan to visit Roer's Institute of Technology, as well as the Reinford Group to talk business. Hopefully, this will help the side task I have been given too."
"Side project? The thing His Royal Highness asked of you?", Claire asked with interest.
"Yes. You can come out now, Lady KeA.", Giliath uttered, only to turn his palm upward toward Claire. Before she knew it, the same pixie the two saw last night back at the inactive Infernal Castle emerged. Claire saw AI KeA's translucent wings and pixelated appearance. Her mere existence was fading in and out, which intrigued her.
"I almost forgot about you.", Claire said, greeting AI KeA with a smile. "But are you sure about this, Your Excellency? We don't even know if this little one can even leave Valflame Palace, let alone go across half the country. Isn't His Royal Highness needed for this?"
"It's the cold-eyed lady!", AI KeA happily chirped, only to spread her wings and suddenly land on her head.
"C-Cold-eyed lady?", Claire uttered. Her calm demeanor changed, becoming wide-eyed. One thing to note was the fact that the Enigma II was still in Naoto's possession. AI KeA was out and about on her own right now. She wasn't taken by force either.
Before Chancellor Osborne came out of Valflame Palace, Naoto tasked his Father with a special request. To investigate the origins of AI KeA. Naoto wasn't sure whether or not the Second Genesis had connections to the Black Workshop, but to cross out the possibility, he tasked Chancellor Osborne to reach out to them. He's the one connected with the Black Workshop, and not Naoto. With Naoto's current connection to the Hexen Clan, he would likely incur some wrath from the Gnomes, and well, he has the next best thing. His Father is going to act as a mediator.
"And therein lies the start of this experiment that His Royal Highness has requested of me. He has given me his full support to see this little one's limitations. I will be travelling quite far distances, and on top of visiting what is already on the agenda, I have a particular place that will make me go off the grid for a little while. I will leave things here to you and Scarecrow for the time being. Is that alright?", Giliath asked.
"Understood.", Claire acknowledging him, giving Chancellor Osborne another salute.
"Good. And who knows, you may get a new sibling amongst you, Jade Rook, and Scarecrow. Do look forward to it.", Giliath said. His eyes turned sharp as he said that. Claire couldn't help but become shocked again.
"We are getting a new member of the Ironbloods?", Claire asked, clearly interested. Lechter may have been the unofficial first member until Rufus made it official, but all three joined rather in quick succession. And earlier compared to the games, all thanks to Naoto's intervention and what he did inside the DG Cult.
"I am not a hundred-percent sure, but that is the expected outcome.", Giliath responded, nodding his head. "As for you, Lady KeA, I do look forward to working with you, even if it is going to be a short while at most. You will be away from your Master for the time being. Is that satisfactory with you?"
"Uh-huh! Master has already informed me of what is going to happen before I left that huge castle.", AI KeA said, nodding her tiny head. "And I solely exist for Master. If this investigation proves to be of any use to him, it will not go against what I have been coded for."
"See? This is within limitation.", Giliath said, assuring Claire everything was fine.
"Well, given that, I suppose I cannot argue against it any longer. Besides, it is not like I can go against the words of Your Excellency, or His Royal Highness. If this is a favor being requested from him, then so be it.", Claire responded, and nodded. "I'll be sure to keep an extra eye out here to make sure things are kept in check during your absence."
"As I expect you will, Icy Maiden. You are not one to let me down.", Giliath said. "As for Scarecrow and Jade Rook, the latter quickly returned to the Albarea Household while that brat Lechter returned to Liberl to continue his studies at Jenis. It is expected to have him complete his final year when His Royal Highness enrolls, so I will leave the security detail to you for the time being. D-Day may not happen for quite some time, but once it does, please do inform me."
"At your will, Your Excellency.", Claire saluted again. "Then I shall wish you safe travel. May the Goddess watch over you. You too, little one."
"Uh-huh!", AI KeA happily replied. "It is nice seeing you again, cold-eyed lady!"
"I-I'm not a cold-eyed lady!", Claire said, finally losing her composure, which only made Chancellor Osborne chuckle. "Call me Claire, alright? Can I call you Lady KeA?"
"Okie-dokie.", AI KeA happily replied. "Claire it is!"
Having said that, AI KeA jumped off of Claire's head, only to vanish back into Giliath's coat, away from sight. All Claire did was give Chancellor Osborne one final salute in silence as she observed his retreating figure into Dreichel's Plaza. Before long, a private orbal car came into view, and picked him up. The couple of Imperial Guards didn't dare to speak hearing the ongoing conversation, but as they saw the Chancellor's figure vanish from sight, the cold sweat dripping down their backs intensified.
As for Claire, she remained behind, confirming Chancellor Osborne was now gone. Instead, her eyes wandered around Dreichel's Plaza, only to land on the statue of Emperor Dreichels. The trolley from earlier also departed with its people in tow, slowly making its way toward western Heimdallr. The same route that eventually connected all the way to the City of Water, Ordis. A town called Leeves was along the way of its path, but Thors Military Branch Campus did not exist at this time. It was simply a town rich in folklore and trading, letting visitors take a rest before they continued their travels throughout western Erebonia. A good anchor.
Seeing everyone now out and about with Dreichel's Plaza in a fervor from it being the new year, Claire began to utter to herself.
"His Excellency did give me the order to watch over those girls from the shadows, but I did overhear them saying they plan to stop by a few bakeries along the way...", Claire uttered. "I am also surprised that Count Egret's daughter decided to go along with them instead of returning to the palace where Her Imperial Highness is. But knowing the strength they possess, I doubt her safety will be in any danger...", Claire continued, keeping her voice soft. She then slowly turned around, and looked at the giant vermillion-clad palace before her, in full splendor.
"Her Imperial Highness did extend that invitation out to a few of us, the girls included. Seeing as they departed already and it will be some time before they head out of the capital, I am not one to turn down a free meal.", Claire said, and revealed a rare smile. "Work is going to get quite hectic in the coming month or two, and I shouldn't really overwork myself too much until the appointed time..."
Seeing that Chancellor Osborne tasked Claire with the security detail of Valfame Palace for the time being, that still fell in line with the duties she presently has. Keeping watch over the four girls who departed was an added layer to that. She didn't have to immediately head out, so Claire opted to remain for a little while longer, and walked back inside Valflame Palace.
Breakfast was set to happen in around a half hour, and knowing that Naoto and the rest were still getting ready, she decided to enjoy a small stroll once she was back inside the palace.
Once the couple of Imperial Guards found themselves alone, only then could they let out a big sigh of relief. It was just one thing after another for them, and they didn't know whether they should laugh or cry with how busy Valflame Palace has gotten as of late...