Before we realized it, we were graced with new arrivals. It looks like the three of them were girls. One was a woman, while the other two appeared to be quite younger. At least, from the outside. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets seeing the unruly golden hair on one of the three women before us. One appeared to be rather young too, sporting sandstone colored hair. The girl beside her had insanely long golden-blonde hair that flew well down to her feet. I immediately recognized this particular girl.
And her appearance is quite misleading. Especially so as she too was holding onto a large crimson staff. It was much larger than her stature. And did I mention her hair already? I could immediately recognize this girl at a first glance. Looks really can be deceiving!
This girl was none other than the Crimson Roselia. What in Aidios's name is the leader of the Hexen Clan doing all the way out here in Vestia Forest!?
And now that I think about it, the woman who spoke out to us first also looks quite familiar...
"Mother, I'll be going on ahead and assist this man to take down Agnagarn.", The first woman said, briefly glancing her eyes at the golden-blonde haired girl. The girl nodded in response as the first woman joined up with us. I even saw the woman's color turn from a green to a blue, automatically becoming a true ally. Would you look at that?
Another perk of having the Gamer System. If someone displayed clear intentions, it was quite easy to tell who was your ally or foe!
I saw the Crimson Roselia scoff at the woman while she continued to last Arts-like attacks at the smaller monsters nearby.
"Hmph, do as you wish, Isola. This little pup escaped quite far even without the help of the nearby spirits nearby. It still ponders the question how a Cryptid managed to show up here in the first place.", Crimson Roselia responded. Even though she said that, her long wavy golden-blonde hair was still unruly. It almost touched the ground in several places, and was quite unkempt.
Despite restoring like that, she brandished her large staff forward, and tilted it sideways. She lowered her voice, and began to speak silently. It was as if space began to distort around her body, causing a blue glow to materialize. This blue glow was very reminiscent of what Father demonstrated earlier in the day when he casted some Arts. But fundamentally, this was different. The woman was bending the elements themselves in the atmosphere to her will, by channeling an incantation through her crimson staff.
This was without a doubt, a Magic Spell being casted. I became excited seeing Magic before my very eyes!
I then glanced my eyes back toward the first woman. The Crimson Roselia mentioned the name Isola. Isola. Now why does that ring a bell? I saw that she was much taller than the two other girls, and had a gentle look in her eyes, despite showing that resolution to take down the gigantic wolf. She too was holding onto a staff, but it was much simpler than the Crimson Roselia's staff. Hers had a large sky blue crystal on its tip, which surrounded itself by coiling white wood. The woman was wearing a long white dress with a blue robe draped over it.
I could see Isola's gentle demeanor, but she wasn't hot-headed to where she immediately dove in front of Giliath to try attacking the wolf. Instead, she joined our side, and knew where her spot was. Near me in the rear. Isola's eyes remained on the wolf, ready to launch her next spell. There was a small window that allowed me to move my eyes back to the other two girls. I heard the Crimson Roselia speak to the sandstone-haired girl. My ears perked up the moment she dropped the girl's name. I didn't think I'd come across this person so early!
"Vita, this will be your first encounter with a Cryptid on the outside. While I have given you my permission to leave the village, it will only be until Isola and I assist this soldier in defeating this pup. You are still considered a witch-in-training, so be careful and stay by my side, okay?", Crimson Roselia said, questioning the girl.
So it really is her. Vita Clotilde! She's more of an eccentric one. She does eventually join the Anguis inside Ouroboros, but I don't see her as a true villain. Yes, she does help propel the Grandmaster's plans to their next stages, but she's not crazy in the head like some other members of Ouroboros are, who actively seek out challenges and fights to the death. She strives for her own goals, and protects her family in her own way. A path that I actually admire. I see myself in Vita's shoes.
"I understand, Grandmother. But if you and Auntie go help that soldier defeat the giant wolf, then who will be left to protect the kid in the rear? He's tending to his own devices, but he looks way younger than me. I'm surprised to even see a kid here so far out.", Vita responded, feeling a hint of worry.
"Umu. You make a good point, Vita. I have no idea why this soldier brought such a small child with him, nor do I even care. Our only focus is to slay this pup. But I guess it won't be all that bad if we ensure the child's safety either. Can I leave that to you?", The Crimson Roselia asked.
"I'm already on it, Mother.", Isola said, interjecting. She quickly arrived beside me, trying to keep me safe. Before I could act any further, a few waves of monsters that were near Agnagarn suddenly rushed in where Father and I were currently positioned.
"Hmph. These dull creatures are of zero threat.", Giliath scoffed, crouching downward. Doing a sudden twist of his body, he slashed out in one strike. Fwoooosh!
A large gust of wind struck while Father swung his greatsword, blasting a few meters around him. The monsters directly in his view all got swept upward inside this whirlwind. Just his power alone caused it to appear, unleashing powerful cuts. It was as if he unleashed a powerful Art called Aerial! Seriously Father, you really are no joke. The monsters' bodies were getting torn to shreds, and blood splattered onto the grass nearby. One after another, the monsters began to poof. I saw humongous damage numbers appear over their heads. It wasn't just in the 100k mark anymore. Several times the previous amount. Father was really going out to contain this Monster Wave, and its latest appearance, the Cryptid Agnagarn!
Isola didn't remain idle either. She raised her staff over her head, and also placed it horizontal, which mimicked Crimson Roselia's earlier chanting. Placing both hands on it, Isola too began a chant. That same blue aura appeared over her body, and her mana unleashed!
"O wandering spirits of the forest, please bless this one with the bellows of the wind and rest these poor souls with your cry. Sweeping Lullaby!", Isola exclaimed, finishing her chant.
Choosing a wind incantation to support Father's whirlwind strike, we all saw a second gale sweep up around Isola's body, and launch itself. It wasn't fierce or violent like Father's strike was. It came in after the initial gust, sweeping the rest of the monsters upward. None were spared!
In no time at all did I see more damage numbers appear, and began to poof into the void one by one. These damage numbers weren't as domineering as Father's attack was just now, but they were plenty to finish these monsters off in one blow.
It was from these couple of attacks did Agnagarn finally realize that we were attacking. The gigantic wolf let out a deafening and angry howl.
"AWOOO!", Agnagarn angrily roared, causing it to focus its large pupils, and shift its head downward. It saw five figures now. Two had just launched an attack on the monsters near its giant frame. The whirlwind was big enough for the wolf to notice. It didn't cut into its fir at all, but it attracted the wolf. And that was all that was needed to distract Agnagarn from making its way to Schwarz Drache Barrier. Father succeeded in taunting him.
And by sheer force alone, might I add. Hearing that deafening roar, I saw the Crimson Roselia grin. As much as I wanted to retort her for her earlier comment, I stayed silent. I was more excited to see Magic before my eyes. The path leading to Agnagarn became clear after Isola assisted Father's attack. She turned her head toward me, allowing me to get a good look at her.
Seeing Isola up close like this, her blonde hair finally made me remember. It was very reminiscent of another girl's hair, which was mostly plum. She would eventually become a member of Class VII in Thors Military Academy.
This woman was Isola Millstein, Emma Millstein's mother!
So she was still alive around this time, huh? Now that I think, that does make sense. Her life would forfeit once she clashed against the new vessel of the Great One in the coming few years. That clash hasn't happened yet. That guy went by the name Black Alberich, taking over Franz Reinford's body in the process. Seeing Isola's gentle smile at me, she spoke out.
"Come now little one. Leave the fighting to me, Mother, and the soldier ahead of us. You can join Vita's side to where it's safe.", Isola said, urging me to fall back to where Vita was. She was still out of the way further behind us. None of the monsters went over to her side. It was safe there. We heard zero rustling coming from the south, and I could see all the red dots coming from before us, or rapidly heading north where the barrier was. Still, I shifted my head toward Father, waiting for his acknowledgement.
"Father?", I asked.
"Go, Naoto. These two witches will assist me to slay the wolf. We'll hold off on your remaining lessons for the day, and resume them on another. I thank you for your prompt assistance, young lady.", Giliath said, glancing both at Isola and I.
I nodded my head, and quickly fell back. Isola smiled again, and let out a laugh.
"Such a polite child. You are his father then, I presume. It isn't every day where someone could immediately notice that Mother and I are witches. We'll be in your service for the time being. I am called Isola Millstein.", Isola said, introducing herself to us. At the same time, she held out her staff again, ready to chant another incantation.
"Likewise. General Giliath Osborne of the Imperial Army. We can save the pleasantries for later. I will not let this foul beast wreck any more destruction on my proud nation.", Giliath responded, also introducing himself.
"Umu. I care not if you are a General of whatever army. Let us defeat this pup once and for all.", Crimson Roselia said, chiming in.
"Then let us defeat Agnagarn.", Isola declared.
Now this is a line-up you wouldn't typically see in the games. Giliath Osborne, the Crimson Roselia, and Isola Millstein all lined up, ready to challenge the Cryptid.
And as for me, I retreated far back enough to where Vita was. She appeared to be around nine years old. She was born in S1180, if I recall. She wouldn't truly become a wandering witch until around S1196, which is around seven years away. Witches tend to head outside that village when they turn sixteen. Emma was similar. She left Eryn Village, and immediately enrolled in Thors Military Academy.
I saw Vita smile at me as she spoke.
"So that soldier is your father huh? I didn't think he'd be a General. That's pretty high up ain't it?", Vita questioned, welcoming me. "Oh, and I'm Vita Clotilde by the way. I'm still training under Grandmother, but she allowed me to head outside the village with her.", Vita continued, introducing herself to me.
"Indeed. Thank you for assisting Father and I. It is nice to meet you, Vita. I'm Naoto Osborne. I just recently turned three.", I said, introducing myself. Vita's eyes turned wide in shock hearing that.
"You're only three years old!? What is a soldier like him bringing such a young child into such a dangerous place!?", Vita exclaimed in shock.
"Haha! I'm used to it. You wouldn't understand being the firstborn son of a high-ranked military official. He's already started training me too. I hope we can get along, even if it's just for a little while.", I replied, scratching my head.
"I see...", Vita said, going into her own thoughts for a moment. She ended up smiling again. "Oh, and you can just call me Vita. It's nice to meet you, Naoto!", Vita happily said to me. At the same time, we made sure to keep our distance from Giliath, Isola and the Crimson Roselia.
I was about to watch a Cryptid get slain and I had a front row seat to watch the show!