Around the time Elie boarded Ein's personal Merkabah...
It now shifted back toward Calvard. Before long, a green orbal car entered a large port city from the left side. Passing by a three-story inn that was known for its seafood, it soon arrived in front of a large chapel. Even all the way north inside Calvard, the Septian Church had influence. Click.
The driver's seat was the first to open up, only to have a butler step out of it. The butler then opened the passenger door. Rufus was the first to step out.
"Thanks as always, Arnauld. This is somewhat out of your expertise. Be sure to head straight back to the mansion alright?", Rufus said, looking at his personal butler.
"Understood, Young Master. I will pray to Aidios that your journey is a safe one.", Arnauld said, bowing his head at Rufus.
"Haha, we won't know for sure until we make it to our destination.", A second voice said, stepping out of the car next. Who else could that be but me? I now stood next to Rufus. Just like with him, the butler bowed.
"And I will say the same to you, Young Duke. His Excellency holds high expectations of you. It pleases him that you have decided to connect with Young Master. Building relationships is paramount to keeping stability within the Great Houses.", Arnauld said, smiling back at me.
"Is that right?", I replied, shrugging my shoulders. I couldn't care less if Duke Albarea has me in a favorable light. I enjoy Rufus as a character. And guess what? Duke Albarea isn't Rufus. Rufus is the guy standing next to me!
"Ahh, you can already smell the salt in the air~", Lechter's voice said, stepping out next. He already had his hands placed behind his head, appearing very casual.
"Seriously bro, can't you take this more seriously? You're way too carefree dude.", Van said, stepping out next.
"I am already used to it.", Tio said, carefully stepping out.
"If you can't beat them, join them, as one would say. Even though I want to send Lechter straight into the Goddess's Halls.", Sherryl said, still looking annoyed. Ennea came out after that, staying silent.
"Oh come on, learn to relax a little! You have to take advantage of every moment when you can. Otherwise, how can you have fun?", Lechter replied.
"We are not here for this 'fun'.", Tio immediately retorted, slanting her eyelids halfway down. Seeing Tio's typical deadpan stare, Lechter shuddered.
"Sheesh, way to be a buzzkill.", Lechter responded.
As Lechter said that, we were greeted by a loud noise. A large orbal blimp soon passed by, slowly flying off into the distant sky. Thankfully, that wasn't our ride that we just missed. We're going a little more old-fashioned. By boat!
"If you will all excuse me. I have to return to the Albarea Household back in Erebonia. May your travels serve you well.", Arnauld said, bowing to all of us. I nodded my head, as did Rufus. With another click, the green orbal car sped off where it once came from. We were soon left to our own devices.
Thankfully the port wasn't too far away. We crossed through the city. As we stepped down several flights of stairs as the city itself was built on a rather steep slope, the salty breeze intensified. I couldn't help but smile once we reached the docks.
"It really is the sea!", I happily said, seeing waves crash up against the docks. Unfortunately there were no beaches. Just the docks separating us from the cold water. And boy was it cold. Our attention was suddenly distracted by the rolling gray clouds up above. Some came rolling in after the blimp sped off. Slowly but surely, snowflakes began to fall down.
"Snow...", Tio uttered, seeing her cold breath escape from her lips. Seeing this, Sherryl turned to look at Tio.
"Oh, right. Aren't you from the north, Tio? Snow should be common for you right?", Sherryl asked.
"Uh-huh. It gets quite cold in Remiferia during winter. Similar to what you see now.", Tio said, answering her.
"Well, you all can go have your fun. I will go acquire our tickets. You are wanting to travel by boat correct, Young Duke?", Rufus asked me. I nodded, confirming Rufus's request. I spoke, calling out to Rufus before he left for the counter nearby.
"Didn't I tell you not to bother with the title-calling? Just call me Naoto. You all don't mind, right?", I asked everyone. They shook their heads. Rufus sighed, but Lechter actually spoke back hearing that.
"'Fraid not, Young Master. I don't want the Old Man breathing down my neck. Them's the rules.", Lechter said, actually being serious for once.
"...Very well.", Rufus said, only to separate from our group. Seeing Lechter do this, I too sighed.
"Fine. We'll have it your way. Why don't we change the topic. Have any of you ridden a boat before?", I asked, looking at everyone.
Hearing me ask that, everyone glanced at each other. The only one who raised his hand was Lechter.
"I've had my fair share of cruises. Mostly business-related. Get a good captain, and it's smooth sailing~", Lechter said, smiling back at me.
"I had a feeling you'd have experience. But it looks like it'll be new for the rest of us.", I said, nodding my head.
"Yeah. Can't say much myself. Money was pretty scarce for me, I couldn't leave home and all.", Van said, shaking his head.
"Me neither. This is my first time at such a place.", Tio said, and observed the water. I wonder, even if she can't display too much emotion, was she feeling happy?
"I'm in the same boat as you two!", Sherryl happily said.
"...You said that intentionally, didn't you?", Tio retorted.
"Hahaha!", I said, laughing. "Jokes aside, we can all kick back and relax a little. Lechter's words are actually true. We aren't bound by that place anymore. The ride itself is going to take a while, so why don't we turn it all into a vacation? All expenses paid by me, of course."
"Haah?", Van responded, his eyes turned wide. "We're coming all the way out here...just for a vacation?"
"Now you're speaking my language, Young Master~", Lechter said, grinning at me.
"A vacation...", Tio uttered.
"That does sound lovely. We were cooped up inside there all this time. It really did a number on my skin, so I would love to sit back and enjoy some sun.", Sherryl said, clapping her hands together.
"I mean, I ain't against a vacation and all. But aren't you here for a different reason, Young Master?", Lecher asked.
"There is that. But I thought you of all people would love to sit back and relax. I'm throwing your words right back at you.", I replied, grinning back at Lechter.
"Haha! Your Old Man has been really driving me through the sticks recently. I'd love to. I did say we should take advantage of every moment we can get so I'm game.", Lechter responded.
"What's this about a vacation?", Rufus's voice reached out to us. Turning our heads, we saw him return with several boarding tickets in hand.
"You aren't against it, are you, Rufus?", I asked. Just like asking him, I also dropped the honorifics.
"I am not. You all need to get readjusted with the real world after being locked away for a period of time. I have already notified His Excellency that we are to remain at your side for the time being...Naoto.", Rufus said after pausing for a moment. He likely recalled what I had requested of him. Good. I guess only Lechter is an exception now. I'll just let him be. He likes to do that anyway. But hearing that immediately drew my attention.
"You already made contact with Father during this short period of time?", I asked, raising my eyebrows.
"While we were in transit, of course.", Rufus said, calmly answering me.
"Right...", I replied, calming myself down. Becoming calm, I decided to use a skill I haven't used in a long while. I simply didn't have a need to. I heard a Gamer Notification, and my eyes began to change when I opened them again. Everyone saw my golden eyes turn into a vermillion color.
"The hell is up with these eyes of yours, Naoto? Did they change all of a sudden?", Van asked, only to have me smile back at him.
"Trade secret.", I simply answered, grinning. Rufus also cuffed his chin with his hand, taking a moment to observe me.
"So these are the rumored Vermillion Eyes I've been told about...", Rufus murmured to himself. Figured he'd known. I doubt most nobles of the Great Houses know apart from the heads, but Rufus snoops around everywhere. On top of that, he serves Father now, so he has likely reviewed some records I once have.
Van just remained confused, unable to find any words after Rufus mentioned that. I paid Van no mind. I started to shift my eyes elsewhere. My range has grown quite a bit. It's very easy for me to detect everything inside this entire city. Imagine a minimap placed in your head. Beyond the city, I spotted some grassy plains further beyond the city.
Within its foliage, I saw a few figures who were wearing black tuxes and dress pants. The moment my eyes landed on them, the eyes behind their black shades turned serious, and immediately dispersed. They were no longer there. I smiled seeing this result.
Sure enough, those are Father's goons. Not that I mind. He's just being a little overprotective, seeing as I'm all the way at the northern border inside Calvard.
As for those beside me, it was clear they saw I was looking at something.
"Did you spot something, Big Brother? These eyes of yours allow you to see super far away, right? Like Ennea?", Sherryl asked me.
"That's a simple way of putting it. Just spotted some of Father's agents. We're in good hands.", I said, sighing.
"Wait, seriously? We were being tailed all this time?", Van asked, cursing beneath his breath.
"Apparently. It's him, so he's quick to take action on matters like this. But whatever. We can proceed onward. More than likely they'll purchase some rides, or they might even have a boat prepared in secret. We'll have our proper vacation with or without them.", I said, and turned off my Vermillion Eyes. My eyes turned the golden color again.
"Haha. I will leave that to your imagination, Naoto. Come now. Let us go to the boat. We should not keep the captain waiting.", Rufus said, urging us to follow him to where the boat was currently stationed. We all nodded, and proceeded onward.
"Seriously. What was that all about?", Van asked, still in shock.
"Still sounds suspicious.", Tio also said, nodding her head.
"Shall I go and slice them up for you?", Ennea suddenly suggested, only to have me smack her forehead.
"Please don't. Remember what Rufus said. We need to get adjusted back to real life.", I retorted, only to see Ennea rub her forehead.
"Sorry...", Ennea responded, sulking.
Even though she did that, we all laughed again.
"All fun aside, you really shouldn't mess with the Great Houses. You'll have them chasing your ass all around the country, or even the continent if you get on their bad side.", Lechter said, warning us.
"Point taken.", Van said, nodding his head.
"Anyway, did they say how long the boat ride will last, Rufus?", I asked Rufus.
"According to the clerk, it will take three days to arrive on Nemeth Island. We've more than enough time to enjoy a little vacation, even if it is on the water.", Rufus said, answering me.
"Nemeth Island...", Tio uttered to herself.
"Nemeth Island? Even as someone from Calvard, I can't say that I'm familiar with the place. What kind of place is it, Naoto?", Van asked, wondering.
"Oh nothing important, really. It's just a beachside resort.", I said, causing everyone to pause.
"W-We're going to a beach resort!?", Sherryl immediately responded with stars in her eyes.
Yet as if on cue, we suddenly heard someone's stomach rumble loudly.
Sherryl's cheeks immediately turned red in embarrassment.
"Haha! The boat won't depart for a while, right Rufus? We were going to go now, but we can have a meal, right?", I asked.
"Yes. There are still two hours until departure. We do not need to flash our tickets until then. Plenty of time to have a meal.", Rufus answered, nodding his head.
"Good. Messeldam is known for its seafood, so I'm sure we can enjoy a good meal. You've all earned it. Besides Lechter. You're paying out of pocket.", I said, looking back at him with a smirk on my face.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?", Lechter frowned upon hearing that.
Hearing me say that earned another round of laughter. We all shook our heads in agreement, so we decided to wander back up to the inn we passed by. It was a restaurant too, and a pretty famous one here in the city. Passing by some honks from the orbal boats behind us, we soon wandered into it.
But I did say our destination. Nemeth Island. Deep within that string of islands held one of the DG Cult's lodges. A lodge known as Paradise.
With that in mind, we all decided to have some lunch, making these two hours pass by before we realized it.