Dreichel's Plaza.
A tall and grandiose vermillion-clad palace panned into view from behind, showing its might to the rest of the capital. Two large, adorned crests of the Arnor Family could be seen on each door that led into it. Further ahead, the ground paved way, startling the couple of Imperial Guards that were guarding the entrance. It isn't often this garage exit is used, but they quickly regained their composure the moment they saw a pearly-white orbal car come out of it. They even saluted the orbal car.
At this time, if one looked closely, Claire had assigned a few RMP Officers on each side, each giving their salute as well as the orbal car appeared out from within.
This was Princess Alfin's private orbal car. Every member of the Imperial Family receives one to go around, whether it be for personal reasons or on business! Prince Cedric has one, and so does Crown Prince Olivert. These vehicles are often used for special occasions, or in official capacity. Unlike other people, the Imperial Family has certain channels to go through to go out and about, unless one was currently at school like Princess Alfin.
Thankfully, they weren't seen in everyday use, considering St. Astraia has dorms which most of its students could reside in. Even Princess Alfin was included in that. Zoom. Zoom!
The white orbal car soon departed from the bridge as the several RMP Officers and the Imperial Guards, remaining still with a salute. They knew well who it was inside, as did the several onlookers. The people going about their work saw Chancellor Osborne leave earlier in the morning, and now they are witnessing someone from the Imperial Family depeart. Their curiosity couldn't help but grow, wondering if something was happening, just like how last night went. As they wondered, the white orbal car wrapped around the statue of Emperor Dreichels.
During this, our group saw the intricate yet inactive ancient magic circle at the statue's feet. Waiting for someone to claim its prize. The Vermillion Trials! The Imperial Guards who stood still around Valflame Palace made sure this magic circle didn't go unattended. While they might not know, they at least knew how important it served to the Imperial Family and Chancellor Osborne. It was a waiting game!
And the person who would eventually begin these trials...Oh wait, that's me, haha! In due time. Now was not the time. Putting my own requirements aside, we needed something else to happen first. A site-wide evacuation of at least half the city. Not all of it, just those who reside closest to Valflame Palace. It is going to disrupt the Spirit Veins lurking underneath the castle where the inactive Infernal Castle rests. And when that happens, all hell is going to break loose. Magic Knights of the Middle Ages and Cryptids will definitely get attracted to such instability, and appear around Valflame Palace. You see this happen in the games, and through a combined effort of the Imperial Army and the rest of Class VII and other collaborators, they kept all the Monsters that showed up at bay. No damage came to the capital.
I don't think we'll need to move all eight-hundred thousand plus people in one go. That would require intricate spellcasting, weaving magic circles upon magic circles. It took Roselia and the entire Hexen Clan to move all of Class VII to save Rean inside the Black Workshop after pinpointing his location. Imagine that scale times a thousand. I just don't see it happening. Plus Roselia's Mana reserves are likely low, thanks to her preparing another use of the soulbinding incantation for me. Instead, a plan like this requires time. While a firm time frame has not been set to tackle the Vermillion Trials yet, it is still a loose one. I want to wrap it up before I begin my studies at Jenis next year in May.
I even caught wind that Father hired Zephyr to ensure the evacuation goes off without a hitch. Now it makes sense as to why I saw Rutger hang around the girls earlier before they headed into the capital to have some fun. Turns out Rutger does have a reason to stay. I might be seeing more of him this next year. I wonder how long did Father hire Zephyr for, I wonder? Is it throughout the entire duration? Given the time, I can pay Rutger a visit later. We've worked together on multiple occasions now. It's weird, but I see him as a bud.
As for the particular individuals who will join me in the Party once the Vermillion Trials begin...
According to what Sherryl had told me, both Zin and Kilika are now here in Heimdallr. Surprise, surprise. But was it really one? Sherryl's here now, and seeing Sherryl now studying at St. Astraia, I could take a guess that Zin saw her off. The only surprising part is that Kilika is here, despite recently taking up a post at Zeiss. And where Zin and Kilika are typically together, Walter is not too far away, so the Direwolf is also likely lurking around the capital. I'll check in with Renne later to see if that is indeed the case. Apart from Zin and Kilika, there's Aurelia, who is confirmed to stay in the capital for the time being.
With me included, that fills out four of the six people. Thankfully, Emma is also here, continuing her training. She decided to take Fie, Renne and Musse with her, to which the latter I'm surprised that she actually decided to go along with them. But I can place my trust in the three's strengths. They're not weak. Besides, Renne is already Enforcer No. XV, the Angel of Slaughter. And that's saying something. I just didn't think Emma would be under the care of the Steel Maiden before I grouped up with her after departing Legram. That was definitely a shocker. Another interaction that didn't take place in the games, but now, Emma is buddy-buddy with Duvalie. I wonder where that will go?
Things were already starting to shape up for this Party, isn't it? The only questionable person is Kevin Graham. Not in a bad way, on the contrary. He is quite the busybody working for the Church, going all around the continent. If it is going as the way it did in the games, Kevin should be working alongside the Second Dominion, a guy who calls himself Thomas Lysandre, the Partitioner. He might not be in a position to easily get in contact with right now. And yet, little at the time that I knew Kevin was already checking in on Elie, who had joined the Gralsritter. A story for another time...
But like I said, amongst those who were invited to participate in the Vermillion Trials alongside me, I do not need to worry about Emma whatsoever. She will be ready when the time comes. She just has to be with me to learn Lucifen Lied with Roselia. As for Renne though, she gave me another wave of surprise.
Renne flat out said she had no interest in participating in the Vermillion Trials. Granted, Renne is not a normal person by any means. She was one of the victims of the DG Cult alongside us. She was granted Enhanced Cognition, allowing her brain to process information far beyond what a normal person can deal with. To the point of successfully establishing a link with one of the leading technological singularities in Trails, a Gordias-Class Mech. Pater-Mater! I wonder if Pater-Mater could even participate in said Trials. Guess I won't be finding that out.
It is a shame, but Renne put her foot down. Instead, she expressed interest in making sure things go smoothly from an outside perspective. While my Party handles the Infernal Castle, Rennne will assist anywhere she can, so I am thankful to her. I will gladly accept any help I can get, even if they can't step foot into the Vermillion Trials themselves.
And speaking along the lines of Renne, Ouroboros would definitely be one to reach out to within this next year. No doubt is the Infernal Castle the culmination of their first half of the Phantasmal Blaze Plan. To awaken the Blaze within Erebonia and trigger the Great Twilight. Renne surprisingly told me that Campanella was lurking around, and get this. It was to see Renne of, beginning her new journey as a student at St. Astraia. Campanella the Fool, a chauffeur. Haha! Either him or the Blazing Demon I should try to reach out to. Likely the latter.
Nonetheless, I'm sure it will happen without a hitch. For the time being, I put the matter of the Vermillion Trials to the back of my head. Presently, a different scene could be seen playing out inside Princess Alfin's orbal car.
The inside was mostly black in color with fancy, upholstered seats. Even a table could be seen off to the side, allowing one to drink to their heart's content. A weird silence spread throughout the inside of the orbal car, but it wasn't awkward. Not like the breakfast I had with everyone earlier before this. Across from me sat Roselia, Prince Cedric and Kurt. Claire was now in the driver's seat. While it wasn't awkward, it was far from it. It was as if daggers were being shot into my back. From their point of view, it would make sense.
For whatever reason, beside me sat Aurelia on the left, and Princess Alfin on my right. Ever since we left the garage inside Valflame Palace, these two have turned oddly quiet. They were practically doing a staring contest at each other, with me as the obstacle. If one didn't know these two prior, it would offer confusion to some. But to others, they would feel something else entirely. Because of that, it created some tension around us, but I don't think it is necessarily bad?
This tension only lasted for a short while before we all saw Princess Alfin smile and speak out.
"Alright, it is your win this time, Lady Aurelia. Next time, I will get you.", Princess Alfin said, only to return to her usual and upbeat demeanor.
"Haha, I knew you would see it my way. You'll definitely have another chance, Your Imperial Highness.", Aurelia said, revealing a playful smile. Hearing these two say these only made me exchange a glance between them.
"Just what in Aidios's name are you two going on about this time?", I said, wondering what it was these two were talking about. Was it some form of mental gymnastics I wasn't aware of? Curiosity got the better of me.
"Oh my.", Princess Alfin suddenly said. "And here I thought you would have understood our intentions, Naoto. The two of us were wondering whose lap you would like to rest atop during this short car ride.", Princess Alfin continued, only to clap her hands together. "While the drive itself is not long, we do have a few moments to spare~"
"Pardon?", I uttered, not expecting to hear that.
"Just go along with it, Naoto. It has been a couple years since we've met last, if you exclude the dance last night. It is only proper I do this.", Aurelia said. Before I could do anything, Aurelia reached her hands out, gently wrapping them around my body. Before I knew it, I was already looking upward. At the same time, A very soft sensation was suddenly pressed both against my neck and upper shoulders...I suddenly froze, realizing what it was.
It was the so-called lap pillow. And Aurelia, one of the sternest women in the entire empire is the one doing it. And she even got approval from Princess Alfin during that moment of silence? Crazy. As this lap pillow started, Prince Cedric and Kurt watched on with an incredulous look in their eyes.
"...It isn't hard to see that the two of you are already acquainted with one another, Your Royal Highness. Just what status is it that you two share? You are Alfin's fiancé now, so I have my doubts.", Prince Cedric asked, looking confused.
"Oh silly me. How can I forget the most important part?", Aurelia replied. "While it has yet to be official, I too have been engaged once before with Naoto here. Just on a lesser scale."
"W-What?", Kurt blurted. His eyes turned wide as saucers, not expecting to hear of our engagement. His eyes were full of disbelief. Even Prince Cedric watched on, taken aback by what she said.
As all of this went down, Roselia just watched on, enjoying the show. To her, this was pure entertainment. Oh how I envy you, Roselia. What would you do if you were in my shoes here?