It was as if time had slowed down, or perhaps my perception was growing sharper with each passing moment thanks to Meditate. It didn't last long, but I successfully unlocked the Skill, and it will be up to me to improve it. It will be very easy for me to regenerate EP later on, I'm sure!
It wasn't just my gaze who was drawn toward a particular area. Roselia's and Aurelia's gazes were also drawn to this figure. They were walking casually with their hands in their pockets as a lit cigarette burned inside their mouth. Our eyes met and it was then that time seemed to have turned completely still. To my surprise, the figure cracked a smile when they saw me.
Sadly, this exchange only lasted for a brief moment. Wooosh!
The fiery vermillion car quickly sped into the east gate of Heimdallr. The posted guards quickly spotted the vehicle and saluted it. They very well knew who that care belonged to, and spotted the Imperial Family's crest on its side. While the orbal car disappeared into the capital, the lone figure paused, and turned around to see it vanish.
The figure took a puff of their cigarette.
"Hey now, ain't this interestin'?", The figure uttered, feeling distracted by the orbal car that drove past him. It was clear this figure easily spotted me, despite moving at a fast pace.
But like I said, this moment only lasted briefly. It was funny to see the guards scramble as Crown Prince Eugent flashed his id at the gate. There wasn't any time to pause and get a good look at the figure, unfortunately. But even with that being the case, I could recognize this person. Roselia saw my sudden shift in my expression.
"Is something the matter, Naoto? Was that person someone you recall?", Roselia asked with growing curiosity. Her eyelids suddenly flipped open since our Meditation came to an abrupt end.
"I feel like I just saw something I shouldn't have seen...", I responded, unsure. That fellow just now...
There's no way it could be HIM, could it? I could recognize his scruffy appearance a mile away. Was he active around this part of Erebonia during this time? I am not sure, but what I do know is the organization he belongs to.
After all, he's the damn leader of it. One of the strongest Jaeger corps in all of Western Zemuria.
Zephyr!
Did he think Erebonia's capital was his backyard or something? What is he doing here of all places? I remember his name too. Rutger Claussell!
You know, that very same Claussell name that one of future Thor's Class VII members also has. Fie Claussell. She should have been born just under a year ago, making her around two years younger than me. She doesn't get picked up by this man for another five years or so. Seeing him alone like this makes sense, now that I think about it. Otherwise, he'd likely remain with his corp to oversee his daughter's training.
But yeah, this man is her so-called dad. Future dad, anyways. According to how the games went. It's still S1189, this won't happen for a while. Since it won't, it really does beg the question as to why Rutger is here of all places.
It really was him...
Unfortunately, that fleeting moment didn't last long. I was already gone, vanished into the capital alongside His Highness and everyone else. I wish I could have jumped off to see what this man was doing, haha!
As for Rutger, he stood around the eastern gate, out of sight, out of mind. He made sure no one followed him. He didn't want to be spotted by the guards lurking around the east gate. Finishing his cigarette, he tossed it aside, and stomped on it. After that, he cracked a wide grin on his lips. It looks like he wasn't alone. A massive, towering figure appeared beside him. Their shadow alone towered over his body.
"Heh, I guess even an ogre can appear on time eh?", Rutger said, staring into the shadows. It wasn't just a single shadow that arrived. It belonged to a couple. They all sported the same fiery-red hair. Amongst them was a youthful boy, but his eyes showed no sign of life. He appeared no more than six years old. A little older than Naoto, but still a kid.
But it wasn't just any kid. A kid like him shouldn't have such cold, dead eyes. He remained silent, undisturbed by what Rutger said while he called out to them.
"Anywhere the mira goes, I follow. I must say our contractor this time is rather devious, aren't they? A plan like this won't happen for a couple more years. Something big must be going on in this country to call not one but two corps. If this wasn't the capital, I wouldn't mind sending some of my guys for another bout with yours, haha!", The ogre-like man replied with a hearty laugh.
"It's enough where it's causing two of the strongest corps on the western side of the continent to fight for the bid. Even I'm curious to see the outcome of this.", Rutger said with a nod of his head.
"Either way, it will become a battlefield nonetheless. That much I am certain of.", The other figure replied. He seemed to be a middle-aged man with that fiery-red hair of his. It looked more like a mane, belonging to that of a lion instead of a human. It was very unruly. Almost as unruly as Roselia's hair. He was extremely tall and well-built too. Jam-packed full of muscle. Very similar to a modern-day bodybuilder, but this man was someone to be more fearful of. He also led one of the strongest Jaeger corps in Western Erebonia, just like Rutger here.
He is the acting leader of the Red Constellation who are rivals to that of Zephyr. In the future, anyway. Right now, he's the leader's first-hand man, as that man is still alive. Rutger shifted his eyes to the red-haired boy beside the man. He had zero reaction to him, but he grinned again regardless.
"I see you've got some fresh blood in the making. Your kid, I take it?", Rutger said, musing at the red-haired boy.
"Not mine, I'm afraid. Much worse, heh heh. This boy's the son of the War God. Too busy right now so he sent me in his stead. He's even letting me do all of his training regime. Already been through Gehenna and back, and will continue to do so for a few more rounds. Come on now boy, introduce yourself to the Jaeger King.", The man said, who was none other than the Red Ogre. He slapped the boy's back, prompting him to take some steps forward toward Rutger.
"Randolph. Randolph Orlando.", The boy uttered, voice appearing dead and cold, just like his eyes. It showed absolutely zero emotion. Even Rutger found it amazed that he saw such a boy standing before him. Rutger wondered how cruel of a training course the Red Ogre put him through for him to behave like this.
And yet, little did Rutger know at the time that he too would pick up a child of his own. A daughter who would eventually enroll at Thors Military Academy and join Rean's side.
Fie Claussell.