Heimdallr Airport.
9:30PM.
Passengers began to disembark the orbal airship after it successfully docked. It's still a weird feeling seeing airships descend and ascend vertically, but I'm slowly getting used to it. It makes the rides much more comfortable.
We decided to be the last to disembark, allowing the other passengers to go where we needed to go. It was for a reason after all. It was why Lechter even came back with us in the first place. His first and foremost mission is to ensure my safety, and he can't really stay behind in Crossbell City until he sees that through now, can he?
And it was good that the rest of the passengers left before us. A few RMP Officers could be seen waiting in the first floor lobby. There were still travelers going out and about, despite it being late at night. They were wanting to catch the next flight at 10PM. The very same flight Lechter would make a return trip on. I figured he would stay until Crossbell City until the end of week, before he decides to fly back to Liberl. I am expecting Heiyue to at least attempt something involving Sherryl and her sister, and hopefully Lechter will be able to dig that up.
Amongst the RMP Officers was of course their Captain. An icy-haired maiden currently stood in place, sending a salute gesture our way the moment our eyes met.
"Welcome back to the capital, Your Highness. You did well to see it through too, Lechter. Thank you for securing His Highness's safety. I take it the visit was fruitful?", Captain Claire said, greeting the three of us with a salute. And yes, the three of us. Tio was hiding behind me with a curious look in her eyes. She was meeting new people. Claire raised her eyes, not expecting to see a young child with me. Her eyes shifted, landing on the blue-haired girl beside me, before shifting a serious look at Lechter.
"Just what in Aidios's name happened in Crossbell City? You better have a good explanation for this, Lechter. I was not expecting His Highness to return with a child.", Claire said, berating Lechter right off the bat. Lechter scratched his head seeing the seriousness in Claire's eyes.
"Sheesh. Already putting the blame on me. You're as ruthless as ever. You HAVE read His Highness's file, yes?", Lechter responded.
"I have a file?", I mused. I half-expected that, considering it's my father who we're talking about here. Plus he owns an entire Intelligence Division. I bet he does have some files on me, and it's likely pretty restricted information too.
"Of course I have. Now that you mention it...", Claire responded, starting to put two and two together. She was very quick to paint the full picture together. Similar to Lechter who always had the special ability of having a gut instinct that one could always trust, Claire had something similar. She had enhanced cognition, and she offered perspectives a regular person couldn't see. She could easily paint pictures inside her mind, given certain situations.
"I see. You must have been one of the persons of interest with Your Highness back then. Granted, I personally wasn't involved in that matter as Lechter here was, but I take it she is going to be with you for the time being, Your Highness?", Claire asked me.
"That's the idea. Tio is like family to me now. From here forward, you are to consider her status equal to mine. See to it Tio is protected, at all costs during my stay here.", I replied with a serious nod.
"Understood, Your Highness.", Claire said, saluting us once again, as did the RMP Officers who were with her.
"Mmm. This is still a bit new to me, but I know Naoto's current status. I recall hearing your voice when we were doing some connection tests inside Valflame Palace. I may be somewhat inexperienced, but I work for the Epstein Foundation nonetheless. It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain.", Tio said, feeling the courage to introduce herself to Captain Claire.
"Did...you just say the Epstein Foundation? A child like you is working there?", Claire frowned.
"Tio isn't a normal kid, Captain. In fact, I dare say her intellect is far above my own. She's already an asset to the Foundation. If she studied in school, she could easily skip several grades. Perhaps enough to even take college courses. As she stated, Tio assisted in the installation of Crossbell City's Orbal Network.", I explained.
"Mmm.", Tio replied to my words. She even raised her hand upward, and sent a victory pose V-sign toward Claire.
"Oh, and Tio knows how to fine-tune orbment gear, so if you're in need of a tune-up, you can use Tio.", I replied with a playful grin.
"Of course she does.", Claire retorted. "You sure like to gather peculiar individuals at your side, don't you, Your Highness?", Claire continued to say.
"Haha, no comment on that. For the time being, Tio will be with me. It is getting pretty late as it is. Seeing as you are here to escort us back into Valflame Palace, I am guessing a ride has been prepared. Lechter, you'd best hurry up and head back on one of the night flights.", I said, urging the scarlet-haired man to head back toward the ticketing area. We had a one-way flight, so you need to buy another ticket.", I said to Lechter.
"Can do. I'll leave His Highness to you then, Cap.", Lechter replied, giving an awkward salute, as if Lechter was mocking Claire. A look of anger appeared on Claire's eyes seeing Lechter casually retreat behind us.
"I swear, just how sloppy can he be?", Claire responded, sighing. "I take it you assigned that fool another job to do?", Claire asked me, being quick on the uptake again. I nodded in response.
"Yeah. He'll be doing another escort back in Crossbell City before he returns to Liberl. I don't mind if this gets reported to the Intelligence Division or whatever. But there is one more thing I'd like to add. I am not sure if they'll make an appearance, but you can rest assured my life is in safe hands right now.", I replied, hinting at Yin's existence. She was likely around somewhere. I saw a shadow descend from the airship earlier, signaling she had joined us on the ride. She was nowhere to be seen, though.
"I shall take your words to heart, Your Highness. I'll read into Lechter's report later on what went down during your visit to Crossbell City. I am sure you must be very tired, since it has been a long day for you. You are right that a ride has been prepared. It is Her Highness's personal car. I don't think it would come as a surprise to you knowing that she's currently waiting inside.", Claire answered.
"I'd figured as much. Let's be on our way. It's still a bit of a drive to the palace.", I responded with a nod of my head.
"Ha!", Claire responded with a military-like salute. I do appreciate everything she's done. Recalling correctly, she recently enrolled in Thors Military Academy. She should be about one year older than Lechter. I am not sure how long she attended Thors for, but she graduated well before Rean started there in S1204. She should be actively studying there, but similar to how it is winter vacation in St. Astraia, the students of Thors are likely enjoying some time off before their next term begins.
Just like in my previous life, schools were structured based on the structure of Japanese Schools. It was a trimester system. The first semester went from April to July. The second semester, September to December. The third semester, January to March. It was presently January 2nd of January's first week. Most students are set to return by the end of the week. That included Princess Alfin returning to St. Astraia once the weekend was over. It was the end of Tuesday now, so that meant we had at most, five days to have some fun and relax.
Myself included, I would begin my enrollment next April! I am becoming more and more excited to finally start up school life again!
I couldn't help but admire Claire for being here to escort us back to Valflame Palace. She's supposed to enjoy some time off from her studies, but Thors is allowing her work to continue. In fact, Claire shouldn't even be working yet, but it seemed that father of mine was much more quick to notice Claire's talents, and prompted her to join the Ironbloods. That eventually led her to joining the RMP Officers. Or the Railway Military Police. A bit out of order. She now has more experience in leading officers to maintain the public image, but I am not sure if that will affect much in the long run. Perhaps making her marksmanship more skillful?
Thinking that, we saw the couple of officers with Claire give us the same salutes as Claire did. Being ever so serious, they spoke out to us.
"Please follow us, Your Highness. Her Highness is waiting.", The officers responded.