After I saw my eyes regain clarity while hearing that familiar mechanical voice escape from my mouth, I heard another notification sound off inside my head.
[Ding! The Gamer System has detected Player Naoto to become the Vermillion Knight's next Awakener. Now issuing entry-level quest of the Vermillion Trials.]
[Ding! Main Quest, The Vermillion Trials has been issued]
[Ding! Player Naoto has received Emergency Quest, Slay Magic Knight. 0/1.]
[Slay the Magic Knight]
Player Naoto has begun his path to prove his worth in becoming the next Vermillion Awakener. This questline will be the first of many trial quests to be completed. Upon defeating the Magic Knight, Player Naoto will receive access to enter the Vermillion Knight's proving grounds.
Magic Knight: 0/1
Conditions:
-Must Deliver the final blow.
Party limit: 4 members
Time Limit: --
Rewards: [Title: Otherworldly Slayer, UR Quartz Box x3, 50,000 Experience]
[Main Quest - Vermillion Trials]
Prove yourself worthy to awaken the Vermillion Knight and become its next Awakener.
Phase 0: [Emergency Quest: Slay Magic Knight] - 0/1
Phase 1: ???
..... (A/N: Of course I won't list all the phases now)
Time Limit: 15 years (A/N: Basically when CSII starts)
Rewards: Passive Skill - ??? Unlocked, ???]
So it is a Magic Knight, eh? And this quaking...is the Vermillion Trials the one causing it for recognizing me as the next Awakener?
Unfortunately that thought couldn't continue on for long, as we suddenly heard sounds of feet dashing our way. Bang!
Without a care, we saw the door fling wide open, only to see Mueller with a serious look on his face and his hand next to his sword, as if he was ready to draw it at any moment.
"Your Highness, are you okay!?", Mueller said, obviously worried about Prince Olivert. It looks like he knew where he was after all. Thanks to the shaking of the Palace earlier, it was no doubt he would come to Prince Olivert first, since his first and foremost duty is Prince Olivert's safety. As for Prince Olivert, he couldn't help but smile seeing Mueller like this.
"Of course I am, Mueller my boy. Not a hair out of place.", Prince Olivert answered him with a smile.
"Nice of you to show up, Mueller.", I also responded to Mueller arriving.
Hearing that, Mueller's eyes wandered for a second, only to look down and saw me amongst Prince Olivert.
"It's you...Naoto, was it? I did receive a report that you'd be staying the night, since General Giliath is still present with His Majesty. And you're here as well, Miss Aurelia?", Mueller continued ask, looking at the three of us.
"Why wouldn't I be here? But that's besides the point. Should you be asking that after knowing we are safe? Did you forget what just happened?", Aurelia retorted, letting her eyes become serious as well.
"Umu. My no-disciple here is right. Why don't you come take a look out the window, Vander-boy?", Roselia asked Mueller.
"You...", Mueller tried to respond back, only to blink at Roselia's current appearance. She was still in her adult form, so he became momentarily confused seeing her. Yet he quickly shook his head, and took her suggestion, and rushed up toward large window next to the bedside that gave us the beautiful view of Heimdallr.
Sure enough he quickly spotted something that shouldn't have been there, more specifically a large object could now be seen down behind Emperor Dreichel's large statue. Since the events of Sky and onward have yet to happen, Mueller was quite foreign to the existence of Magic Knights. But a Magic Knight could definitely be seen down there.
But the strange thing was, was that there was no light within this Magic Knight, acting as if it was current immobilized. It currently did not move from its spot, as if it did not have any power routed to it right now. It did make sense though, since most Magic Knights are created through Alchemy. Perhaps it needed a trigger to activate it.
But the stranger thing was, it wasn't just this sole Magic Knight, there was an invisible barrier of sorts around Dreichel's Plaza. Dreichel's Plaza was still blocked off for the evening thanks to the declaration earlier today, but people and the guards still went about their daily lives, acting as if nothing had happened. It appeared they didn't even hear the tolling of the bell nor felt the quaking of the Palace either.
Mueller couldn't help but stare at Dreichel's Plaza before speaking again.
"What in Aidios's name is going on here? What is this thing?", Mueller asked.
Hearing that, I ended up letting out a sigh, slowly approaching him.
"...Does it look like a mechanical doll of sorts mostly compromised of metal?", I decided to ask, causing surprise to appear
"This thing definitely fits that description, but how...?", Mueller tried to ask, only to look down at me. I could now be seen by his side. However, I couldn't even answer him as I became distracted by another notification that sounded off inside my head.
[Player Naoto is about to enter Instant Trial: Dreichel's Plaza-Ashurei - Lv100. Would you like to proceed?]
Yes / No
Seeing this notification appear all of a sudden, I blinked, before quickly pressing No. To think a notification like this would appear...
Did the Gamer System seriously just turn Dreichel's Plaza into an Instant Dungeon-like place? Is that why no one else outside is reacting to this?
Either way, I definitely can't go in now, as I am not fully prepared. Thankfully it looks like I'll be able to prepare for this, and seeing a party limit, it will probably let me bring in a party as well. I do not know what conditions it holds, but this is the beginner first trial of the Vermillion Trials so it will be a challenge of sorts. This time, it is to fight a Magic Knight that resides in the Infernal Castle. It looks like it brought one out to test me.
Moreover, to set the trial to lv100...I myself am only Level 6 right now, so this trial will probably grant specific adjustments for me to fight this guy. Like even though I was only Level 6 right now, it would adjust my Level somewhere close to 100 so we can fight on even grounds.
Otherwise, this guy would probably tear me to shreds, or I would have to solely rely on my party members, haha!
And speaking of party members...I looked back up toward Mueller, only to speak out to him which drew his attention.
"...I might be the one who caused this doll to appear.", I said, scratching my head a bit. After saying that, Mueller blinked his eyes at me.
"Hah?", Mueller tried to retort. But before he did, Prince Olivert smiled and answered Mueller.
"Brother Naoto is correct. But as for what reason, I do not know why.", Prince Olivert said while giving Mueller a chuckle.
"Now you're just not making any sense, Your Highness. How could a little child cause the Palace to quake, let alone have a weird looking doll appear in the plaza?", Mueller asked, retorting Prince Olivert.
However, he was interrupted by a rather deep voice with the appearance of another figure arriving at the door. It was none other than my father, Giliath Osborne.
"What you see is the truth. An inexplicable situation has appeared before our very eyes.", Giliath said, answering Mueller.
"Your child truly caused Dreichel's Plaza to change?", Another voice said, only to reveal Emperor Eugent with his wife, Empress Priscilla. It seems they came along after seeing Mueller rush toward the guest room we were residing in.
"Hmm, how much do you know about Divine Knights, Your Majesty?", Giliath suddenly asked him, causing Emperor Eugent to turn serious.
"Divine Knights...", Emperor Eugent replied in surprise. "Don't tell me...is Erebonia about go to through another bout of turmoil even though I just became the next Emperor?", Emperor Eugent continued to say with a hint of worry.
"Wait, are you suggesting your child might be influencing the Divine Knights?", Emperor Eugent couldn't help but exclaim.
"Do not forget, Naoto is now Duke of the fallen Phoenix House. Their family have always had close ties with the imperial family, even some bound by blood." Giliath explained.
"Bound by blood...", Emperor Eugent began to say, only to look at me. As he did he toward me.
"...I've been skeptical of the records I've been looking up, but do you really have Arnor blood in you?", Emperor Eugent hesitantly asked me.
This caused us surprise, but the one who received the most surprise was Prince Olivert. Sure he just started to meet his two younger twin siblings, but now, he just came to learn of possibly even an another sibling, even though we might just be cousins at best.
"I cannot say for certain since mother is no longer with us, but it is very possible I do have Arnor blood flowing in my veins.", I decided to answer. The system confirmed it already, but I still decided to make it unsure to the Emperor.
"Well, if you didn't, how else would Valflame Palace react?", Emperor Eugent questioned. He then looked at Aurelia only to speak out to her. "Aurelia, I know you being here is still counted as your field studies, but what I will be talking about is solely tied to the Arnor family and the military.", Emperor Eugent began to say, only to cause Aurelia to nod her head.
"I understand, Your Majesty. My lips will not speak of this.", Aurelia assured.
"Good. And as for you...", Emperor Eugent started to say, only to shift his eyes to Roselia next. "Why does it feel like I've seen you somewhere before?", Emperor Eugent wondered.
"Umu. This isn't a first for me. I am merely a guide lost in time.", Roselia mused after answering him.
"Does that mean you are watching over Naoto here?", Emperor Eugent continued to ask.
"You could say that. But Naoto is the one you should have the questions for. Is there a time limit for this one, Naoto?", Roselia questioned.
"Not that I can see, no. But it does have a sense of urgency.", I answered Roselia, which caused Emperor Eugent to blink his eyes.
"Hmm, perhaps this talk on Divine Knights will have to be put on hold then if this truly is an urgent matter. But the one thing I will say that our Valflame Palace does happen to be the home to one of the Divine Knights. The Vermillion Knight, Testa-Rossa. It is quite lamentable to learn that it has shed some light again on our Empire, as where there are Divine Knights, a period of unrest follows them.", Emperor Eugent explained as he shook is head while letting out a sigh.
"Our Arnor family houses such a thing?", Prince Olivert decided to ask, gaining interest in the matter.
"Indeed. But as to who it decides to choose, it cannot be determined. As long as one has our blood, they cannot escape from this. I fear this role may have fallen onto you this time, Naoto.", Emperor Eugent continued to explain.
"That does seem to be the case, Your Majesty. I have indeed made a connection already. This trial will be one of many for me, but on the bright side, I don't have to be alone to challenge this doll outside.", I said, revealing a smile.
"Oh? Are you saying you can have people fight that doll outside with you?", Emperor Eugent asked with interest.
"That is right, Your Majesty.", I answered him.
However, at this time, we soon heard another voice reach our eyes, one I was not expecting be.
"Fufu, so that is what happened here. I thought this situation was the result of an artifact, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Either way, it is good that the Church decided to keep me behind.", A female voice said, reaching our ears. We soon saw a figure arrive, only to green-blonde haired girl. It was Ein Selnate, the current leader of the Church's Gralsritter.
"I hope you keep such information privy to yourself, Miss Ein. I thought you would have left already with the other members of the Church since the dinner. Did they allow you to stay behind?", Emperor Eugent said, revealing a smile seeing Ein still in the Palace.
"They did. Am I glad I decided to too.", Ein responded, revealing a smile herself. "So what's this talk about a combat party? Are you guys going to go fight that thing outside the Palace?", Ein asked.
"That's the plan. I'm surprised to see you still here, Miss Ein.", I also happily replied.
"Is that so? Would you allow to fight beside you? I still have my assumptions but I believe what lays outside is to be a Magic Knight of the Dark Ages.", Ein surmised, causing another wave of surprise to reach their ears.
"Now I'm really starting to hear things I shouldn't be hearing...", Mueller couldn't help but utter causing Prince Olivert to smile.
"Haha, since we are talking about the incoming battle here, I do have some experience with an orbal pistol. I can definitely be of use as well.", Prince Olivert said with a chuckle. However, a look of anger appeared on Mueller's face the moment he heard that.
"Absolutely not! We don't know how dangerous that thing outside can be. I refuse to let you step into that place.", Mueller said, retorting him. "And I will remain her to make sure you don't.", Mueller continued to say.
"Hmm, you said people can join you to battle this doll, Naoto. Is there a limit to your trial?", Aurelia asked.
"Looks that way. I can bring three people with me.", I explained the situation to them. From their point of view, they just see this trial falls onto me, but it was the Gamer System who gave me this information.
"Then let me in on this.", Aurelia said. "Field exercises often resort to combat in one form or another. I can treat this as more training.", Aurelia said confidently.
"Since two people have been chosen I will watch over you and be the last. I will not expect to fight myself, unless an emergency arises during battle.", Roselia said, letting her be the fourth member.
"Looks like it's decided then.", Giliath said. "Naoto, remember the training I have given you thus far. We still have a ways to go, but I think with the people of this party, you will be able to conquer your trial.", Giliath also said.
"Are you really going to let such a young child participate in a battle we know nothing of, General Osborne?", Empress Priscilla couldn't help but worry a bit. "Has he even touched a sword yet?"
"Your worry is normal, but rest assured. Naoto has already begun learning the sword. You brought your weapon didn't you?", Giliath asked me.
"I did.", I said, nodding my head. I then went to retrieve my rapier given to me by mother from the table next to the bed, and put it at my waist. It hasn't been long since I started, like father just mentioned.
"A rapier...", Emperor Eugent uttered with interest. "I can see your determined look. I will not stop you, so I will pray to Aidios you come out of this trial.", Emperor Eugent concluded.
"Thank you.", I replied happily to him.
At the same time, I heard another notification sound off inside my head.
[Ding! Three people have expressed interest in creating a party. Would you like to form one?]
Y/N
This time, I pressed yes, only to receive another notification.
[Ding! You have now created a party.]
[Ding! A party has been detected for the Vermillion Trial: Phase 0]
[Ding! Party invitation has been sent to Roselia Millstein-Lv???, Aurelia Le Guin-Lv150, Ein Selnate-Lv???]
[!Ding! Three people have joined your party. Party requirements have been met.]
[Current party:
Naoto Osborne-Lv6
Roselia Millstein-Lv???
Aurelia Le Guin-Lv150
Ein Selnate-Lv???]
Seeing these notifications, as if a hidden strand of my mana reached out, Roselia, Aurelia and Ein reacted at the same time, suddenly feeling a weird connection all of a sudden. Roselia was used to this already but Aurelia and Ein were knew to the feeling of the Gamer System. As they did, I spoke out to Emperor Eugent.
"Your Majesty, if nothing else, we will enter battle soon.", I said to him. However, hearing that only caused him to blink.
"Don't you guys have to exit the Palace? It is quite a ways away from here.", Emperor Eugent asked. And yet I didn't answer him, only to let out a smile instead.
I only turned around and walked toward the window again. I heard another notification sound off.
[Ding! A party has been detected for the Vermillion Trials: Phase 0. Would Player Naoto like to begin the trial?]
Y/N
Seeing this appear, this time I didn't hesitate. We had our discussion in this room, and now I was ready, together with a party, just like how the games behaved. I pressed Yes.
All of a sudden, a ball of light suddenly shown over our four bodies, causing Emperor Eugent and the others to open their mouths in surprise. As for father, he remained there, giving me a smile.
"May Aidios be with you, my son. You will have a long road ahead of you.", Giliath responded to me.
"Yes, father.", I replied, nodding my head at him happily.
In the next moment, the four of us vanished at the same time, leaving no trace of our bodies. At the same time, all around them, and more specifically, outside the barrier, scenery began to crack and come to a halt, as if time had stopped.
*
Double length chapter for you guys!
Don't forget those power stones!