Apologies for this last week or so, I was in my busiest work period of the year. September has passed, the upload schedule will resume. For anyone curious, I work in finance. Cheers!
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"Dreichels Plaza has now become a restricted area. Any trespassers will be arrested on sight. Please make way for His Highness! I repeat, any trespassers will be arrested on sight!", One of the several Imperial guardsmen yelled out via a microphone. You heard that right. Ever since the introduction of Orbal Energy, Zemuria has grown increasingly more significant in terms of the technology it produces. It mimics my past life in various similar ways, and this microphone is one such feat. I could even hear the guard's voice speak into the orbal car while Crown Prince Eugent flashed his identification.
"Is there an event happening?", A nearby traveler spoke, wondering what was going on. Of course he was beyond the blockade. He observed several Imperial guardsmen standing in one place, so he, along with several other onlookers, couldn't help but wonder what was taking place. A few even appeared worried.
"Have you gone blind man? Did you not see the insignia of that orbal car just now? That was the crest of the Imperial Family. His Imperial Highness has returned!", A second citizen said, exclaiming in excitement.
"Then why in Aidios's name were those three sitting on top of His Imperial Highness's personal car? That silver-haired girl looked a bit familiar too...", Another onlooker said who glanced at us from afar. I paid the growing clamor no mind. If I truly am set to become a noble like this, having attention like this is something I'm going to have to get accustomed to.
Questions began to rise. While the people murmured amongst themselves, a sole figure approached the gathering crowd. This figure seemed to come from Vainqueur Street. Right now, they had recently turned seventeen, and joined the workforce as a reporter. His hair was very unkempt, likely from having done long nights of writing, and was green. It was short and spiky too.
"The hell did I just stumble onto?", The figure murmured, scratching his head at the ongoing crowd of people. It didn't take long for other like-minded reporters to spot this man, and quickly called out. An orbal camera was also hoisted over their neck.
"Nial, get your ass over here! The Crown Prince just arrived back at the capital, all of us are waiting to gather some photos for our reports!", The reporter shouted. Hearing that, the man named Nial paused. His mind faltered.
"The fuck? I seriously picked the wrong time to come abroad to Erebonia, didn't I...", Nial retorted, cursing at himself. That's right, this man was Nial Burns, one of the first major side characters that Estelle and Joshua would encounter in Sky. He was an aspiring journalist, far from being the boss he'll become down the road. It wouldn't be hard to say that he was still a rookie right now. He was currently here in Heimdallr wanting to know how things operated within the Imperial Chronicle. But now, by pure happenstance, he stumbled across the return of Crown Prince Eugent.
And for whatever reason, Nial observed a small violet-haired boy next to two girls seated atop the roof of the orbal car that was slowly making its way through Dreichels Plaza. It wasn't just that. He didn't know if it was just him but those around Nial seemed oblivious to the boy. But Nial felt a cold chill run down his spine. The small boy was staring right at Nial, waving his hand at him.
"Am I seeing things? Just who on earth is this brat?", Nial uttered again. He looked around, and didn't see anything out of the ordinary, so he wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
"Less yapping, more shooting!", One of Nial's coworkers shouted, ending his stupor. In the end, he shrugged his shoulders, and joined up with the couple of other Imperial Chronicle reporters. He readied his camera, and waited for the door of the large orbal car. It soon came to a halt in front of the statue of Emperor Dreichels, and slowly opened.
I chuckled at the sight of the reporters beyond the barricade. Now there's a figure I didn't think I'd encounter this early on. He looks rough around the edges, and definitely not as messy-like from the games, but I can definitely tell this guy is Nial. He would be a middle-aged man by the time Estelle meets him, but here, he is quite young still. This is definitely a perk of reincarnating in a time before the entire plot kicks off. You get to meet characters long before you meet them in the games. I've already met quite a few, and I wonder who will be next?
But I knew I couldn't stay on the car's roof forever. I took a moment to jump down onto the concrete beneath me, landing on the opposite end of the car. Roselia followed suit. As for Aurelia she glanced downward, and spoke out to us.
"I will wait for your guidance, Rose. For now, I must return to the side of our division commanders. After all, I am currently acting on behalf of my father, the commander of the 3rd Division. I have my own duties to attend to.", Aurelia said, and jumped down after us. Roselia nodded her head hearing that.
"Umu. I will not stray you from your duties. Once everything has settled down in the evening, I will come seek you out. Be ready.", Roselia spoke.
"Understood.", Aurelia responded, acknowledging her. She then shifted her way toward me, and called out. "And it was nice meeting you too, Naoto. I bet it isn't easy being the son of the fifth commander. He's quite the shrewd man. I expect great things out of you from a man of his caliber.", Aurelia happily said. I shuddered slightly hearing that.
"Right...", I answered back. "Either way, it was nice meeting you as well, Miss Aurelia. Should things go well, I may even follow in your footsteps and enter Thors Military Academy.", I continued, smiling at her. Another smile appeared on her lips once I said that.
"I look forward to that day.", Aurelia replied, nodding her head. I'm sure Father would enjoy me studying at Thors too. Aurelia's words didn't hold any false meaning to them either. Being the firstborn of someone like Giliath isn't just for show. His words carry lots of weight, and mine will too, eventually. The main door was now open on the other side, and the couple of secret agents assigned to Crown Prince Eugent were the first to step out to ensure his safety.
Before long, other figures began to step out, one by one.
Seeing Matteus Vander the first to step out, it caused several onlookers to blink at him in shock. It didn't take that long for one after another to yell out in excitement.
"T-That's the Thunder God!", One of the onlookers exclaimed. Matteus simply ignored them and walked off to the left side. Victor soon followed suit, causing another wave of surprise.
"No way...Even the Radiant Blademaster is here?", Another onlooker uttered, even more surprised now. As the crowd continued to watch, Aurelia approached her two masters.
"How did your conversation go with the young lad?", Victor asked.
"It was quite enlightening, if I do say so myself. I might be able to reach even greater heights after tonight is over. I still have high hopes to learn under you too, Master Arseid.", Aurelia responded politely. It does look like she had already acknowledged the Radiant Blademaster as her second master. The Thunder God being her first Master, and if it works out, Roselia would become her third Master.
"It sounds like you had a fortuitous encounter, then. As for your current proposal, I might not be able to fulfill that for a little while. You see, I have a rather lovely daughter at home. It is hard enough as it stands being away from her.", Victor said.
"You have a daughter?", Aurelia asked, gaining interest.
"Indeed I do. She has just turned two this year. Her name is Laura S. Arseid. I have high hopes for her, just as you have placed yours on me.", Victor replied, nodding his head.
"That overprotectiveness of yours hasn't changed a bit.", Matteus retorted, grumbling while he heard that.
"Haha!", Victor said, letting out a loud laugh in response to that. As the two exchanged these words, a third figure stepped out, and spoke out to the three.
"It looks like my fellow commanders have successfully gathered. Welcome back, Miss Aurelia.", Olaf said, greeting the three while he stepped out.
"Isn't that the fourth division commander?", Another onlooker asked.
"Wow, it looks like we've got a crowd amongst us.", Olaf said, raising his hand toward his forehead, overlooking everyone. These commanders were already used to situations like a simple gathering of people, and seeing this many didn't bother them one bit. They even felt flashes of light hit their eyes by the nearby reporters that were actively using their orbal cameras, but they paid them no mind.
"Just let them be and let the Imperial Guard do their duty. It will be relayed to the public in due time.", Matteus responded, causing the others to nod their heads. "Still, what's keeping the fifth commander? Did General Giliath have something to discuss with His Highness?"
"That does seem to be the case.", Olaf responded with another nod. To their words, something was indeed taking place inside the orbal car...
With most of the division commanders now emptied of their seats, the Diet member Speaker Carl, the Fifth Division Commander, General Giliath, Crown Prince Eugent, his son Olivert, and his active bodyguard, Mueller Vander could be seen left inside the car. It was then Giliath directed his head toward Crown Prince Eugent, and asked another question.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Your Highness? We could still keep this event under wraps. At least until your originally appointed inauguration in two month's time.", Giliath asked.
"No.", Crown Prince Eugent answered, shaking his head. "Our people must know what has transpired. My ascension cannot be delayed any further. If I am to become the next Emperor of Erebonia, time is of the essence. I cannot stand by idly, waiting for Lord Father to pass. We do not know if any more attacks will strike if we do nothing but wait.", Crown Prince Eugent continued, displaying a serious look in his eyes.
"Would that not pose even more risk to Your Highness's being?", Giliath asked, still doubtful.
"Be as that may, I will head inside strong knowing that my family now rests within our castle walls. Who would be brazen enough to launch an attack on Valflame Palace where the next Emperor will soon be declared?", Crown Prince Eugent asked back.
"Only fools who seek death would, Your Highness. If this really is your will, I shall humbly accept and follow.", Governor Carl said before General Giliath could add more words in.
"Then I shall not object to this either.", Giliath also said.
"That is most excellent.", Crown Prince Eugent responded, nodding his head at the two. He then shifted his head toward his son, and spoke out to him.
"My son.", Crown Prince Eugent began to say. It was as if Olivert already knew what his father was going to say, and nodded back.
"Yes, Lord father.", Olivert responded.
"I will apologize to you now for placing this burden onto you. Once my ascension is known to our people, I will announce you as the Crown Prince. Lord Father already knows I am set to receive the crown before the end of the week is over. Things will happen fast, and there will be many people coming in and out of our palace during it.", Crown Prince Eugent said to Olivert.
"I had a feeling this was bound to happen, so I had anticipated it from the very beginning since that attack was launched on my mother, Lord Father. I have no objection to your will. It will only be temporary, yes?", Olivert asked.
"Correct. Once things have settled, I will formally declare Cedric as my rightful heir to the throne.", Crown Prince Eugent declared. Hearing that, Giliath smiled.
"Cedric...", Giliath uttered. "I see. You've been rather busy yourself, haven't you, Your Highness?", Giliath continued. His lips curved upward into a grin as he asked that.
"Haha!", Crown Prince Eugent responded with a quick laugh. "You aren't the only one who has stayed "busy", General Giliath. I have been blessed with twins myself earlier in the year. Even our fellow commanders around us are already paving through for the next generation to take its place. You aren't alone.", Crown Prince Eugent replied with a laugh.
"Well put, Your Highness. As we grow older, we will have no choice but to leave it to the youngsters that will eventually take our spots. It is inevitable.", Giliath said, chiming in with what Crown Prince Eugent said. "It sounds like you were blessed with both a boy, and a girl. What are their names?"
"Cedric Reise Arnor and Alfin Reise Arnor.", Crown Prince Eugent declared, his face beaming into a rare smile.