It looks like most of you are in favor of saving Guy so I'll see to it. Taking down the poll.
Giliath demands your power stones!
*
As a silver-white haired girl got in line to board an orbal airship with three other figures beside her back in Crossbell City, a violet haired boy and a group of people beside him could now be seen at Messeldam Port, Calvard. They were now looking at the huge body of water which was laid bare in front of them. Several seafaring orbal ships could also be seen at the docks. it wasn't just that either, a couple low flight airships and even a blimp could be seen off to the far left, should one decide to travel by air instead of by sea.
"It's the sea!", I shouted happily seeing a huge ass body of water now in front of our view. Hearing me yell that out, the others beside me all gave me a deadpan look.
"It is true this body of water does connect to Zemuria's oceans, but aren't you a little too excited, Young Master?", A scarlet haired boy retorted, who could be seen next to me. This was of course Lechter.
"What isn't there to like about to like about the ocean? There's also that cold breeze and salty smell too.", A lilac haired girl said with a smile, who was Sherryl.
"Let the Young Duke have his fun, Lechter. I will go get us our boarding tickets. You are wanting to travel by boat, right?", A blonde haired man asked, who was Rufus. I looked at Rufus and nodded my head.
"Yes. I do know travelling on the sea takes us longer, with a boat, but I personally have yet to ride one, so I want to. I've already gotten used to riding airships.", I answered, nodding my head at Rufus.
"This is the first I have come to the sea too.", Tio said, looking at all the water. Despite not showing much emotion, if she could still feel happy, she would be right now.
"Hate to say it but money was pretty scarce for me, so I couldn't leave my home town much. But why are we at the port? It's pretty obvious we are going somewhere.", Van said, raising his arm a bit as he shrugged his shoulders.
"That's exactly it, Van. We still have some time to burn so how about a little vacation, everyone? Of course all expenses will be paid by me.", I said, which caused everyone to blink their eyes.
"Haaah? We're coming all the way out here, just for a vacation?", Van retorted in disbelief.
"A vacation...", Tio said as she uttered to herself.
"Hehe, that sounds lovely. Being cooped up in that place really did a number on my skin so I would love to sit back and enjoy the sun a bit.", Sherryl said as she clapped her hands together.
"Oi, are you seriously wanting to do that, Young Master?", Lechter retorted again. "I thought we were coming here with a different purpose in mind, as much as a vacation sounds fun right now.", Lechter continued to retort.
"Haha, I thought you out of all people would love to sit back and relax Lechter." ,I responded with a chuckle.
"Wellll...", Lechter tried to say. "I'm not against it one bit, just caught off guard by it. Your Old Man has really been driving me through the sticks recently.", Lechter said, revealing a tired voice.
"What is this about a vacation I hear?, Rufus's voice suddenly said, only to see Rufus return with seven boat tickets in hand.
"You're not against it, are you, Rufus?", I asked Rufus. Rufus calmly shook his head no.
"No. You all need to get readjusted to the outside world after having being locked away for a period of time. And besides, I have already notified His Excellency about us remaining at your side, Young Duke.", Rufus explained, which immediately drew my attention.
"You really made contact with Father? Since when?", I asked, doubtful.
"While we were in transit to here of course.", Rufus calmly smiled back at me.
"Right...", I began to say. Calming my breath, I closed my eyes, only to activate m my Vermillion Eyes. Everyone saw my golden eyes become tinted with a vermillion hue. Sherryl and Ennea had seen these eyes before but Tio and Van became confused seeing this.
"Did your eyes suddenly change, Naoto? The hell's up with that?", Van asked who was unsure right now.
"Trade secret.", I simply answered with a light grin. Rufus also put his spare hand over his chin seeing my eyes.
"So these are the rumored phoenix eyes I've been told about...", Rufus uttered to himself. Hearing that caused my eyes to twitch a bit, but out of everyone, it would make sense for Rufus to know. These eyes belonged to the Phoenix bloodline, which was part of the five Great Houses. Rufus belonged to the Albarea family, which was another one of the Great Houses.
"???", Van tried to ask, but was unable to find any words after Rufus said that. Hearing Rufus say that just left Van more confused.
At this time, I started to look around but way further beyond from Messeldam Port into the grassy plains and rocky hills with trees scattered about. I could spot a few agents dressed in a black tux and black pants with their black glasses scattered in various positions. The moment my eyes glanced at them, they felt as if they were being watched and immediately scattered from their current position. As for the people beside me, they became confused seeing my head tilt in a few different directions, as if I was actually looking at something.
"Seriously?", I couldn't help but retort. My eyes glanced at Rufus again, to which he just smiled back at me. In the end I let out a sigh.
"Can't believe he would be that quick to take action, but whatever. Our safety is guaranteed at least so we can rest easy. We'll have a proper vacation.", I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"What was all that about?", Van asked, still confused.
"We're being tailed, but nothing we can do about it.", I answered.
"Seriously?", Van asked with his eyes a bit wide. Van, Tio, Sherryl and Ennea, who stayed quiet during all of this, looked over to Rufus.
"That sounds hella sus man. I know this is pretty much a free ride, but still...", Van retorted.
"For once I can actually agree with you, Van. Are we okay in heading out to sea like this, Big Brother?", Sherryl also asked with a hint of worry too.
"Suspicious.", Tio also retorted, looking at Rufus with a dead look in her eyes.
"Shall I slice this guy apart?", Ennea, who stayed quiet, suddenly asked that, ready to slide her hand underneath to grab her dagger.
"Please don't. It's not like you guys will be able to do much to Rufus anyways."
"As much as it pains me to say it, Young Master is right in this case. You don't really want to mess with one of the Great House nobles.", Lechter said, shrugging his left arm a bit.
"Haha, take it as you will. Our boat will be ready soon. According to them it will take three days to arrive at Nemeth Island. I hope you all are ready.", Rufus said, which drew our attention.
"Three days...At least it will be a commuter boat, so I'm down for it.", Van said with a nod.
"How long did they say that it will take to depart?", I asked Rufus.
"The boat will depart in around two hours. Why?", Rufus questioned.
As if on que, someone's stomach started to rumble loudly, which came from Sherryl. Her cheeks blushed a bit in embarrassment.
"Haha, Messeldam is one of the key spots to ship seafood around, and it's shortly after noon. Why don't we go have some lunch?", I proposed to everyone.
"You're buying, right?", Lechter casually said, bringing his arms around his head as he did.
"It is good to eat now before the boat departs, I do not see a problem.", Rufus also said.
After Rufus said that, everyone shook their heads in agreement.
We took the next hour or so to feast on Messeldam's exquisite seafood cuisine.
With our bellies now full, we flashed our tickets and boarded the orbal boat. With a few honks of a loud horn, we srarted to sail the body of water connected to Messeldam port.
It was from here we would reach Nemeth Island after three days of travel by sea, which was the same island that was home to Paradise...