While McBurn showed a look of interest in his eyes wondering how things will go from here on, Arianrhod quieted down, and became silent. Her gaze shifted downward, only to see The Faceless, who was currently acting as Professor Alba. Seeing Arianrhod not budge an inch, McBurn let out yet another sigh.
"Yawn...", McBurn said, letting it quickly turn into a yawn. "Guess I'll go see if one of those strong monsters are lurking around to kill some time. We only need to stay around here for a couple days, yeah?", McBurn Asked Arianrhod.
"That's right. Today marks April 22nd of the Septian Calendar. We were given a period of three days. We must depart by then. I am impressed that His Highness gave us a similar timeframe. The nobles have already begun to act against His Majesty. It is only a matter of time, not when. Do not tarry for too long, Blazing Demon.", Arianrhod said, answering McBurn.
"I got you. Three days it is.", McBurn said, nodding his head. He then turned toward Vita. "What about you, pipsqueak?", McBurn asked. Compared to McBurn, Vita was still exceptionally young. Before he realized it, he had come to address Vita like that. Not much is known about McBurn's real age. He simply appeared in Zemuria one day. As McBurn stated, he is as alien as Naoto is. Or in his words, "Mixed". Just through two different concepts. One was transference, while the other was reincarnation. McBurn and Naoto respectively. While it may be two different methods, McBurn holds that strange sense of familiarity whenever he looks at the little fox before him.
Vita looked at McBurn and answered.
"Is it alright if I tag along with you, McBurn? Allowing our Familiars to hunt is part of their training. Grianos has already started his, but I do not think Tama knows how to hunt yet.", Vita said, looking at Tamamo.
"Kyuu?", Tamamo replied back, acting like she was unsure herself.
"Fine by me. Just watch over yourself. I ain't the kind to babysit others. You fall behind, and that's that.", McBurn said with a nod of his head. As he said that, he willed the same fiery-hot magic circle to appear underneath his feet, signaling that he was about to leave, just like how Campanella left. Vita smiled hearing that.
"Hehe, I know. I am quite capable of taking care of myself, I'll have you know. It's what got me this far.", Vita said, puffing her chest out a bit. She then glanced at Tamamo. "It will soon be time to play, Tama. Are you ready?"
Hearing that, Tamamo's ears perked up.
"Kyuuu!", Tamamo happily replied. In response Vita twirled her staff, and started jumping down from one tall pine tree to the next. She might be a Witch, but she has already started conditioning her body like a normal martial artist. She's quite nimble, and quickly vanished from sight. Before long, she left Hamel entirely. Tamamo quickly followed suit, and blinked away. She almost started playing tag with Vita, trying to test her speed.
Arianrhod was now left alone.
Arianrhod took this time to sit down cross-legged on the same large branch she currently stood on. Seeing The Faceless now further deep into Hamel, only to introduce himself to the villagers below. Arianrhod slowly shook her head. She sighed in disappointment.
"It really is a shame you are not the one I have been looking for, Your Highness...", Arianrhod said, uttering to herself. She became quiet again, enjoying a soft breeze.
Time began to flow before her eyes...
Meanwhile...
Liberl.
Grancel Castle.
The same day. April 22nd. S1192.
Deep within Liberl's capital stood a large castle that has been erected since time immemorial. It's been around ever since the founding figure marked it on the map. A Kingdom that stood proudly for over an entire millennium. It has seen its fair share of wars.
Right now, it wasn't as peaceful as it was back in Hamel. Not necessarily in a bad way. Grancel Castle could be seen bustling with activity. Several soldiers clad in green of the Royal Army frequently patrolled their assigned areas. The number was quite higher than usual. Some had frightful looks in their eyes, while others had anger.
As for the castle itself, it too was seen in a busy manner. Within one of the drawing rooms on the left side of the first floor, several high-ranking officers of the Royal Guard could be seen, all showing serious looks in their eyes. Some sat at the long oval wooden table in the center of the room. A few familiar faces could be seen. General Morgan. Captain Richard. Newly-promoted First Lieutenant Julia Schwarz, and everyone's favorite, Colonel Cassius Bright. Several other high-ranked officers accompanied them. Currently, a strategic map of the land laid out before them.
As the group pondered over the map, a hurried voice reached their ears. This person seemed quite tired, but also had a ray of hope in their eyes. It was the head maid of Grancel Castle, Hilda. The very same maid who watched over Naoto during his stay inside it.
"Please forgive my discourtesy for barging in like this General, but Her Majesty has finally woken up!", Hilda said, calling out to the old man who had the most serious look in his eyes out of the group. He raised his eyes after hearing that.
"Is what you say the truth?", General Morgan asked.
"As Aidios is my witness. I do not lie.", Hilda said, nodding her head in agreement. Hearing that, General Morgan sighed in relief.
"Then that is most excellent. When we received that report a couple days ago, I could hardly believe my eyes. I did not expect Her Majesty to suddenly collapse like this...Please keep watching over her, alright?", General Morgan asked. Hilda assured General Morgan that she will not leave Her Majesty's side. As she assured him, General Morgan sighed once more, feeling even more relieved this time. His eyes swept the room. Some appeared excited hearing this news, while those like First Lieutenant Schwarz started to tear up a bit. Up until now, First Lieutenant Schwarz has had several interactions with Queen Alicia II.
After gauging the room, they all saw General Morgan stand up.
"I shall take Colonel Bright with me and go see Her Majesty at once. Please continue this meeting, Captain Richard.", General Morgan issued. "With the latest intel we've gotten, it looks like our neighbor is soon going to be making their move even though we've been at peace for so long. We do not know where they will strike, but if we can at least launch a counteroffensive, it will reduce our losses.", General Morgan continued, causing Captain Richard to nod his head.
"Of course, General. Please see to Her Majesty. The wellbeing of the Royal Family is priority above all else.", Captain Richard acknowledged, receiving General Morgan's command by giving him a salute.
"If you'll excuse me.", Colonel Bright said to everyone. They nodded their heads at his departure alongside General Morgan. The two left the room, only to follow the head maid, Hilda. With Hilda guiding them, it did not take long for them to walk up the curved steps, leading them into the second floor. From there, they found the hallway that led into the terrace outside. Only by crossing through this open terrace could they reach Queen Alicia II's private quarters.
Once they stepped outside, they felt a soft breeze strike against their faces. While it felt peaceful, the air around them remained tense. They only had one thing on their mind right now. That was to see the Queen posthaste.
And so they did. Hilda took the two through the terrace, and greeted a couple of maids and soldiers along the way who were actively cleaning and patrolling it, respectively. They soon arrived on a red carpet that led toward a large clockwork-like tower. It was almost as if it was a castle on top of a castle. The maids greeted Hilda, and she continued guiding them inside. From there, they went straight to Queen Alicia II's room.
They came to a sudden halt once General Morgan and Colonel Bright gazed at a bed, only to see a person slightly elevating their head on a fluffy pillow. Their eyes were now open. A firm yet gentle look gazed back at them. It was then they didn't see that this person was alone.
A little girl could be seen at the person's bedside, who seemed no older than six years old. She had pretty and vibrant violet hair. It almost matched Naoto's hair color to the tee. Well, that's because it was the same hair color as his! It was somewhat longer than when she was last seen. It was more like her alternate moniker that she would adopt later on during the Sky games. Adding to her look was a frilly white-purple dress. Naoto met this girl around five years ago when they had just barely started standing up on their own two feet. Even a silver tiara rested atop her head with an aquamarine gemstone embedded in its center.
In due time, people like Estelle and Joshua would come to meet this person as Kloe Rinz. But here, she is Princess Klaudia von Auslese, the first and only granddaughter to Queen Alicia II. That is, up until six years ago when Naoto was brought into the scene by being reincarnated in Zemuria. While not being direct siblings, Naoto's mother is Her Majesty's sister. Both he and Princess Klaudia are related to each other by blood, and he has every right to the throne as she does. Much more so than that bastard of a Duke, Duke Dunan.
But at best, both Princess Klaudia and Naoto are cousins. Not actual siblings, even though Princess Klaudia already sees Naoto in such a light.
Princess Klaudia still had sorrow in her eyes as she observed the Queen.
"Grandmother...", Princess Klaudia uttered. If one looked closely, her eyes were a bit red, likely from having cried earlier. Her arms stretched over the bed, and held onto Queen Alicia II. Despite such a state, the Queen smiled at her.
"Oh little Klaudia, what will I ever do with you? You did not need to watch over me like this.", Queen Alicia said, smiling at her granddaughter. Her gaze then shifted upward, and saw the two soldiers before her. "General Morgan, Colonel Bright, welcome. Thank you for bringing them, Hilda.", Queen Alicia said and looked at Hilda next.
"It was no problem, Your Majesty. All the maids and I give our sincerest gratitude to see you in good health once again. You really did give all of us a freight.", Hilda said, also showing a relaxed look in her eyes. She then looked at Princess Klaudia and spoke to her. "Come now, Your Highness. You mustn't disturb Her Majesty like this any longer. She needs her rest, and is also going to hold a discussion with General Morgan and Colonel Bright to talk about what happened. Let me take you to your private quarters so you can rest for the evening---?", Hilda tried to say, only to see Princess Klaudia snap her eyes toward Hilda, which startled her.
"No! I am just as guilty to see all of this happen. If only I had acted sooner, I could have tried preventing this...", Princess Klaudia replied. "Brother Naoto, I am sorry to go against your words so soon...", Princess Klaudia uttered, which drew everyone's attention to her. Even Queen Alicia watched her granddaughter, seeing her visibly stirred.
"Klaudia?", Queen Alicia questioned, deciding to ask. Princess Klaudia didn't immediately answer. Instead, she reached into her dress with one of her hands, and pulled out a letter.
"Is that...a letter?", Colonel Bright asked. He was immediately drawn to it, as this letter had already been opened.