"Why are you acting like nothing has happened!? Where the HELL have you been all this time, Naoto!? You just up and vanished off the face of the continent these last three years. Grandmother hasn't told me anything. You...", Vita said, obviously appearing angry with how things have turned out.
"I mean, we chatted once, didn't we?"
"That's beside the point!", Vita exclaimed, still angry. Seeing Vita still angry like this, I scratched my cheek.
"Right...I should have been in contact with you guys more, but I did warn you ahead of time, Didn't I? Making contact with you all would have proven risky at the time. Only now did I have enough freedom to do so.", I answered, still feeling guilty.
"Tsk tsk. Emma is so not going to like this.", Vita replied, shaking her head with disappointment.
"That's the first thing you came up with!?", I retorted, hearing Vita say that.
"Hehe, I'm just joking with you. Emma misses you, you know? Everyone back in the village does. I'm sure you have your own tale to tell.", Vita said, her gaze softened seeing me.
"You are right about that. At some point, I need to return to Eryn. But as you can see, we are a little preoccupied at the moment.", I said.
"We...?", Vita replied, only now realizing I wasn't exactly alone. She looked around, only to see we were on a boat, sailing the ocean sea. She also saw the group of people I was with.
"Where in Aidios's name are you anyway, Naoto?", Vita asked, curiously wondering who those beside me were.
"Oh nowhere serious. Just in Calvard's Northern Sea.", I simply answered. She saw we were surrounded by nothing but crystal clear water in all directions. It took a moment to register. Her blank stare was replaced by shock.
"EH!? What are you doing all the way out there!?", Vita exclaimed in shock. Hearing that, Rufus, who was beside me, smiled.
"Well, that's a tale to be told another time. As you can see, we are accompanying Naoto. You must be his study companion. I myself am quite curious to learn how all of this is working. It is a pleasure to meet you.", Rufus said, introducing himself to Vita. He sure saw the opportunity to do that huh?
Well, Rufus does meet Vita later on, but on two opposing parties. While under the guise of the Noble Alliance during the October War, Rufus starts antagonizing Vita during the latter half of Cold Steel, even going as far as killing Grianos. With me in the picture now, I won't let that happen, considering my current connection with Vita and all. In fact, Rufus and I might even become enemies in the future. Only time will tell for that.
"Rufus, huh? Why does that name sound familiar?", Vita asked, wondering to herself. I saw it earlier, but we were interrupted by a cute voice after Vita said that. My eyes were drawn to the silver fox in Vita's embrace.
"Kyuu!", Tamamo said, happily spinning her tails around. Tails...?
I froze for a moment. When Tamamo was created, she only had one tail to begin with. Now, I saw two. It dawned on me as to what happened. I received those Gamer Notifications when Tamamo completed that Instance Dungeon II, considering it's shared with me. It makes sense now, so I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Haha, it is good to see you again too, Tama. Sounds like this period of time has gone rather well for you.", I said, smiling at my Familiar. Well, I could recall her right then and there, but nah. It looks like she's still having fun with Vita, so I'll have Vita continue to look after her.
"Kyuu.", Tamamo replied, responding as if she acknowledged me.
"So. Mind telling me what has happened to you, Naoto? You called me with something in mind, right? Might as well ask what happened. You seemed to have gathered a weird lot of people.", Vita asked. Seeing everyone around me, we all nodded our heads. I didn't need to exactly hide it with people that I knew, and Vita is someone I can trust, so I don't mind explaining the situation to her.
Some moments later...
Vita's expression turned more serious with each explanation I gave her from when we entered the Sun Fort, leading to what happened in Altair, and of course, our next destination, Paradise.
"The DG Cult...", Vita uttered. "Now that wasn't a name I was expecting to hear from you. And everyone around you is a victim of their lodges. I can't help but feel all of this was planned out.", Vita questioned, doubt remained in her eyes. "I mean, I know your abilities and all. Let alone one, it's unheard of that a group of people would escape from there."
"See it as you will, Vita. What you see is the result of what took place. We escaped. Father had a big role in it. That's why you see Rufus and Lechter here.", I said, pointing at the two.
"I can see that. And the place you're going to next...It's called Nemeth Island?", Vita asked.
"Yeah. A high-class beach resort. Within it holds our true destination. But we're going there to have a little fun first~", I said, smiling back at Vita.
"I se...", Vita replied, only to sigh after hearing everything that had happened to us thus far. "And it brings you to this ship you're on."
Hearing that, I nodded. But I couldn't even speak before we heard a stern voice reach our ears. Not from our side, it came from beside Vita. Now that I think about it, there was a towering shadow over Vita. Looking to her side, I saw a man, dressed in a full-blown military uniform that was green. It had golden tassels and everything. He was very reminiscent of a modern European man, and even had a few medals on it.
"So this matter is related to the DG Cult after all. Its name has been surfacing as of late, according to the reports we have received so far. Seeing kids like you, it aligns to the missing childrens' reports.", The stern voice said. The window shifted its view slightly, and the man came into view. I nodded my head to his words.
"Is that so? We may have been the lucky ones. I do apologize that we have to meet like this for the first time, but this should suffice, for now. I would love to visit your country, given the chance.", I responded. Hearing this, the man chuckled.
"Haha. So you could see that right away, huh? As expected of Liberl's Crown Prince. You know, matters related to you have also begun to surface. Your matter is much more tight-lipped since Her Majesty the Queen doesn't want word to spread until the time is ready.", The man said, smiling back at me.
"Why am I not surprised that you would know of me, Your Highness? Or should I call you Prince Albert?", I suddenly said, causing the air around us to turn still.
"Haha! Vita here said you might know me already, so I'm not surprised. Either way, it is an honor to meet you, Liberl's Crown Prince. I am of the Bartholomeus House which currently reigns over Remiferia. My older brother is currently the Grand Prince. I'm second in line, the Second Prince, Albert von Bartholomeus. A pleasure.", Prince Albert said, officially introducing himself to us.
Van's eyes turned wide, hearing the introduction.
"The Second Prince of Remiferia...? You shittin' me?", Van cursed as his eyes remained wide in shock.
"The Bartholomeus House...", Tio uttered softly.
Seeing this, I glanced at Tio. That's right. Tio's from Remiferia, isn't she? More than likely she has encountered the Bartholomeus House on occasion, likely in news, but still. Unlike Liberl, Remiferia is a Principality. They're much more ruthless when it comes to ruling, pitting princesses and princes against each other. The best one comes out on top, only to become the Grand Prince. Not through bloodshed, mostly through political strife.
"Likewise. I am Naoto von Auslese, the would-be Crown Prince of Liberl. Not official yet, but in due time.", I happily said, introducing myself to Prince Albert. "Now for the fun part, Tio here is from Remiferia.", I said, placing my hand on Tio's shoulder.
"Is that right?", Prince Albert responded, looking at the blue-haired girl next to me. "To think those bastards would have such wide influence...", Prince Albert continued, only to form a fist out of anger.
"I am indeed a citizen of Remiferia. Or I was, until you saw what took place. Tio Plato. It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.", Tio said, keeping her usual deadpan look. Despite that, Tio still bowed, and remained polite. Prince Albert just stared at Tio, not expecting to see such a person behave like this.
"I am guessing something happened for you to talk like this. Just what was it exactly, young miss?", Prince Albert inquired.
Tio glanced at me first. Was she asking if it was fine to answer his question? I thought about it for a moment, but still nodded my head. Tio proceeded to speak upon seeing this.
"A side effect of the Gnosis drug. I no longer feel much emotion. It isn't gone. More suppressed, if I had to describe it.", Tio said, still carrying a hint of sadness in her tone. Seeing this, I could see anger flare up in Prince Albert's eyes.
"Those cultist bastards...", Prince Albert cursed. "Thank you for telling me. It must have been hard on you to describe that tale, so I will not press further on the matter. Thank you for taking the time to deliver this information, Your Highness.", Prince Albert said, and looked back at me. "I will make sure this information is to spread around our local police departments."
"Thank you, Prince Albert. Tio isn't the only one who is from Remiferia. I saved the best for last.", I said, and proceeded to smile.
"Oh?", Prince Albert asked, raising his eyebrow with interest. "And who might that be?"
Sherryl stood behind me trying to keep calm, but I looked down at the lilac-haired girl, who decided to remain behind me during this exchange. I saw her take a deep breath in, and we nodded at each other.
"Big Brother Bear...", Sherryl said, calling out to Prince Albert. I saw Prince Albert's eyes go through a variety of emotions once Sherryl became visible to him. In the end, his eyes turned wide, and actually stood up from his chair. He even slammed his hands on the table, causing a loud bang.
"S-Sherryl? Sherryl, is that really you!?", Prince Albert shouted, acting as if he had just seen a ghost.
Well that's good. It looks like Sherryl really does have connections to Remiferia's royal family, which just so happens to be House Bartholomeus!