A fateful encounter will show up this year. It is someone who hasn't appeared yet but I won't say who (:
Giliath demands your power stones!
*
Kloe, Princess Alfin, Estelle, Emma, Joshua and I left the grand arena after seeing Sherryl come out on top. For her to beat Rixia as she was now, I couldn't help but bring a smile to my face. This was quickly noticed by Princess Alfin.
"Teehee, looks like someone is in a happy mood.", Princess Alfin said as she suddenly wrapped her arm around my left arm, which caused me to blink for a moment.
"You could tell, huh? I'm just happy that Sherryl won her last match. Her opponent was quite a fierce one.", I said happily.
"That Rixia person was quite nimble too. She controlled most areas during that battle. To think she'd be able to easily launch her weapon like that. Those paper things too, I think they were called Talismans? I had no idea they could create such small and accurate explosions.", Princess Alfin asked.
'Mmm. It's a popular item in the eastern martial arts world. Compared to the myriad techniques available over there, here in the west it's mostly training in swords, guns, or spears.", I said, giving a nod.
"It was also surprising to see that you guys knew that Sherryl girl. Mister Zin said he accepted her as his student?", Princess Alfin continued to say.
"That's basically what happened. Sherryl was travelling with us while we were in Calvard ourselves.", Emma said with a smile.
"Oh right, you did say you visited Calvard two years ago. I would love to hear more stories of what Calvard is like.", Princess Alfin responded happily.
"Haha, I'd love to, but we still have several blocks of Grancel City to explore, don't we?", I replied.
"And also a shopping spree. We are in the main shopping block of Liberl's capital, after all. I would love to purchase an outfit or two to take back home with me.", Princess Alfin continued to say.
"I wouldn't mind purchasing some clothes myself.", Kloe also responded happily.
"Maybe I should get some new sneakers?", Estelle also asked as she tilted her head. Right after Estelle said that, she felt a swift chop to the head by Joshua.
"Are sneakers all you can think about right now?", Joshua retorted Estelle.
"H-Hey! Now that was uncalled for.", Estelle replied angrily. However, that only earned a laugh from us. As we laughed, we worked our way down the steps, only to enter the main street of the east block again.
"It's not like you won't be left out either, Estelle, Joshua. Same for you Emma. Like I said earlier, today's all on me. If you want something, don't hesitate to reach out.", I said.
"Is that really alright?", Joshua said, still a bit hesitant.
"If that really is the case, maybe we should get something for Daddy too while we're at it?", Estelle also wondered.
"I actually wouldn't mind doing that, Estelle.", Joshua continued to say, nodding his head.
"Maybe I should look into getting another pair of glasses...?", Emma uttered after hearing me say that.
After everyone expressed their individual interests, we each had a look at each other. Kloe then decided to speak next.
"Well, it looks like most of us are looking to get something at the market, Brother. Didn't you say you had an appointment though? Will we be fine if we shopped for a couple hours?", Kloe asked with a hint of worry.
"Right. I do have one appointment set, and it'll be at the Orbal Factory, but that's a pickup so it won't last long. Afterwards we can either schedule a dinner or go to one of the pubs if you guys want a more real experience. Served with anything non-alcoholic though, haha!", I explained with a laugh.
"Oh? Did you perhaps place an order for an orbment device of sorts there--?", Princess Alfin tried to ask with a curious look in her eyes.
However before she could finish her sentence we all heard sounds of shuffling feet, running quite quickly from a few figures not so far away. They came from a few of the many patrolling guards who were patrolling the city during the Queen's birthday celebration. Worried looks could be seen in their eyes.
"Quick! A suspicious individual has just been discovered at the south block.", One of the few patrol guards said. "You lot know the drill, we are to detain anyone that we deem so, as to not cause trouble during Her Majesty's celebration.", The patrol guard continued to say, which caused the other two to nod their heads.
"But aren't the guards in the south block already keeping it under wraps over there? Why do we need to go to?", One of the other patrol guards asked.
"It looks like those couple fellows aren't enough to handle this guy. Seems to be a persistent one too in trying to enter Grancel. I've received word he's been cooperative, but is releasing a rather heavy pressure. We are to provide backup.", The first patrol guard said.
We were pretty close by as we saw the few patrol guards not too far away. After the guard said that, we blinked at each other.
"A suspicious individual trying to enter the south block?", I uttered softly.
"Is something wrong?", Princess Alfin also asked a bit worried.
As she asked that, both Kloe and I glanced at each other, before the two of us quickly nodded our heads.
"I'll leave it to you, Kloe.", I said with a simple nod of my head.
"With pleasure.", Kloe responded with a smile. After saying that, Kloe stepped forward, only to part ways from our group. Walking away and slowly approaching the guards, Estelle blinked her eyes seeing Kloe do this.
"Eh? What's Kloe going to do?", Estelle asked, only to see Joshua's arm reach out before her, only to signal Estelle not to move.
"Let's just keep our distance for now.", Joshua said. Hearing that brought a smile to my face, but I kept quiet and watched on. It was only a moment before Kloe arrived before the guards, we weren't that far away.
"Excuse me, but may I interrupt you three for a moment? What's this about a suspicious individual?", Kloe suddenly asked as she approached the first of the three patrol guards. They blinked hearing Kloe's voice reach out to them, only for them to turn around to look at Kloe.
"Huh? I'm sorry but we don't have time for kids like you. Move along now and go enjoy the festivities, yeah?", The first guard asked as he looked at Kloe.
"We really should hurry up if they're requesting our backup.", The second patrol guard said as he looked at the first.
"Wait a minute...", The third patrol guard said, who mostly stayed quiet for now. He took the time to observe Kloe, who simply smiled back at him. Kloe wasn't wearing one of the palace dresses right now and was out of uniform, so it took the third patrol guard a moment before his eyes turned wide.
"Y-Your Highness!? What are you doing here!?", The third guard exclaimed.
"Eh?", The first said responded hearing the third guard exclaim that. He too was able to able to recognize the distinct violet violet hair Kloe had. It didn't take long for the first patrol guard's eyes to turn wide too.
"Y-Your Highness...What in Aidios's name are you doing out here?", The first patrol guard stuttered a bit, only to follow up with a salute. Seeing this salute, the second and third patrol guard quickly followed suit.
"At ease. I'm currently not on official business as you three can see, so I'm out enjoying Grandmother's birthday celebration along with Brother and the rest of our citizens alike.", Kloe responded with a smile.
"I-I see, Your Highness. We have just received a suspicious person report so we were going to go provide backup.", The first patrol guard explained, which Kloe nodded her head. However, it took another moment for the guard to register it, but after Kloe said that, his eyes turned wide again. "W-Wait a minute, by Brother, you can't mean...", The first patrol guard tried to continue, only to shift his head to the side. Not too far away he spotted me.
Giving them a grin, I decided to approach Kloe's side.
"Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince! We do apologize for disturbing your enjoyment.", The first patrol guard responded, only to have the other two quickly salute to me as well.
"Haha, it is of no matter. We are people just like you, out to seek to have some fun this week. If anything I apologize for causing a disturbance in your current rounds.", I spoke to the three, which caused Kloe to smile.
"Your Highness needn't to apologize to us, since we're just doing our jobs in keeping the peace during Her Majesty's festivities.", The first guard was quick to respond. Hearing that, I nodded my head.
"Would you mind if you bring us to this person? Grandmother's celebration week has been without a hitch, and we should keep it as such.", I suddenly asked.
"At once. Your Highness.", The first patrol guard responded with another salute.
"You want to go see this individual?", Kloe asked with interest as she blinked her eyes at me.
"Sorry, but we may have to delay our shopping by an our or two. We should still have plenty of time though.", I said as I scratched one of my cheeks.
"Hehe, oh you don't need to apologize for that, Brother. I too find it concerning. Each year brings so much celebration, it would be a shame should something disturb it this time.", Kloe also responded with a giggle. Hearing that, the two of us turned back for a brief moment, only to look at Princess Alfin for a bit, only to nod both of our heads.
Princess Alfin was quick to realize our intent.
"Teehee, it looks like Naoto and Kloe will be without us for a few moments. You guys don't mind that, do you?", Princess Alfin suddenly asked not too far away. Estelle's eyes showed surprise hearing that.
"Eh? Naoto and Kloe have something to do? I thought we were going to shopping. But seeing them with the guards, it did look a bit serious...", Estelle responded with surprise.
"...This feeling...", Joshua tried to say, only to seem as if he was in his own thought while Princess Alfin and Estelle said that.
"Joshua? You alright?", Estelle tried to ask, which snapped Joshua away from his own thought.
"Sorry, but It looks like I'll need to accompany Naoto and Kloe. I can't shrug this feeling off.", Joshua suddenly said. He then turned toward Emma. "I can leave the Princess and Estelle in your care, right, Emma?", Joshua asked Emma. Emma simply nodded.
"Of course. I am a lot stronger than what I currently look like.", Emma responded in confirmation.
"J-Joshua? Where are you going--?", Estella tried to say, only to see Joshua turn around and suddenly dart toward Kloe and I's position. Seeing this Estelle was surprised having Joshua leave the three, but I knew Emma could look after Princess Alfin and Estelle for a little bit.
It was a surprise to see Joshua join up with Kloe and I though, but we quickly followed the guards, and left the east block. It didn't take us long to reach the south block. This south block also housed the orbal factory to where my appointment was set at later tonight, as well as the Bracer Guild. They also had a Fisherman's Guild here.
Since the patrol guards were running on the side, we too were running along with them. We quickly passed by the Bracer Guild. As we passed by, I glanced at a certain sun-kissed skinned figure who was wearing rather loose clothing with a brown whip held at her waist. Our eyes met, and a look of surprise appeared in hers. Unfortunately that moment only lasted briefly, before we continued along the path toward the south gate.
"...Weren't those the two kids I met earlier in the morning, and Joshua is with them? They seemed to be in a hurry...", The woman said, only to see us no longer beside her. Seeing that, she could only shrug her shoulders and entered the Bracer Guild.
"Oooh! If it isn't Shera. Welcome back. Did you just finish up that last monster hunting quest?", A long blonde haired man said who had his hair tied into a ponytail, draped over his left shoulder, standing behind the receptionist counter.
"Oh that little thing? It was a cinch for me. Something just caught my I though.", The sun-kissed woman replied, revealing a smile. "It looks like the Crown Prince and Her Highness were off in a hurry to the south gate. I saw Joshua with em too.", The woman continued.
"Hmm, we just did receive an additional request to provide security support at the south gate. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?", The man called Elnan said. "There's some really flashy haired guy loitering around, demanding a request to speak with the Crown Prince, no less. There's no end to such individuals lately. Sigh...", Elnan said, shaking his head a bit. "Wanna go check it out, Shera?", Elnan asked.
"A flashy haired guy? At least he sounds better than that pain in the ass duke. Sure.", Shera said, simply nodding her head in response.
After handing in her latest quest details to Elnan, Shera received her next request from him and left the Bracer Guild just as quickly as she entered. Arriving on south block's main street again, she quickly turned toward the direction of the south gate, and proceeded to her next destination...