We parted ways with Princess Alfin, Estelle and Emma and exited the east block. I left Princess Alfin and Estelle in Emma's care. Despite being a couple years younger than me, I could still count on her. Like she said, she is quite strong, but still not quite as a strong as Vita though.
With the patrol squad, we arrived in the south block. It was bustling with stalls and traffic of people coming and going. The energy was high and overall it looked like people were having a good time. Every so often cheers and happy conversations could be heard from the pubs and restaurants scattered in the south block.
We stayed on the left side, and once we were about halfway through the south block, we came across the Bracer Guild. It looks like it was having its fair share of work, and I even caught of glimpse of Shera who seemed to have returned for the moment from her monster hunting. We could only glance at each other before she went inside. Sadly the guards didn't stop, so neither did we.
Sure enough, there was a line of people waiting to enter the south block, likely to experience the festivities. There were also a couple squads of patrol guards who could currently be seen either a bit scared, or yelling at a singular individual off to the left side. It seemed they were even ready to draw their weapon.
"Looks like we just made it in time.", The first guard of the squad we were with said. Seeing another squad join in, the other two or three squads looked relieved.
"Oh good, it looks like backup arrived. I think this will be enough to help detain this bastard. Already got a rulebreaker here looking to cause a stir. He even cut the line, complaining about how long it was taking.", One of the other squad guards said, meeting up with ours.
"Who is this person, exactly?", I decided to ask the the other guards, which caused them to blink at us behind the squad who just arrived.
"Eh? Why in Aidios's name did you guys bring a couple kids with you?", The other guard retorted. However, upon another glance, it looked at us. "Wait a minute, you do look familiar...", The other guard continued to utter.
"Hehe, will this help at all?", Kloe suddenly asked, only to stand by me. Seeing both of us together, it was then the guards' eyes turned wide, not expecting to see the prince and princess at the south gate.
"I-It really is Your Highnesses! I do apologize for that doubt earlier. We were not expecting you two to actually be here. Weren't you two still back at Grancel Palace?", One of the guards wondered as he stuttered a bit.
"Haha, we decided to have some fun, like everyone else is doing during this celebration. We had some free time on our hands, so we stopped by to make sure everything is alright. But now that I'm having a look...", I replied with a laugh. After saying that, I glanced at the stalled line. Thankfully it wasn't long but it was still paused thanks to the current commotion caused by a singular individual.
Shifting my eyes to the left, I saw a few guards surrounding a sole individual, and it seemed they were ready to draw their weapons at the guy. It seemed to be a man who was not wearing a serious look in their eyes. He had a long red shit that stretched down to his legs, splitting off at its ends. With a sole blue and white shirt within, it exposed his dense muscles. The striking point was his light blue hair that had pink highlights.
"...I had a feeling it would be you, McBurn. Why are you here at the south gate of all places?"
After I asked that, I saw the man yawn a bit and stretched his neck. Upon a closer look, I could see a rather large object wrapped tightly in a white cloth hoisted on his back, which obviously garnered my interest.
"Yawn...", The man I called McBurn replied with a yawn. "It was so boring trying to wait in line to come to your place, Your Highness. I couldn't help but speed it up a little, you get me? I was this close to burning down this gate, but that requires effort, and that I something I don't feel like doing right now.", The man continued to say. After finishing his yawn, he opened his eyes, only to look back at the guards and us. Even he blinked for a moment.
"Well well, it looks like ya got the Black Fang with ya too. It's been a while, kid.", The man continued to say, ignoring the few guards who had him surrounded.
"As I thought, the feeling I couldn't shrug off was you, McBurn. I didn't think you would dare try to enter Grancel City like a normal person would. You stick out like a sore thumb.", Joshua retorted as he approached my other side.
Seeing us start to exchange words like that, the patrol guards turned their way and looked back at us.
"...Could you be acquainted with this individual, Your Highness? He's currently barring other people from entry, so we were going to detain him for a bit...",,One of the guards tried to ask.
"He is. We can take things from here.", I responded in acknowledgment. I then turned toward McBurn again. "McBurn, do come along with us. Or else I'll have to let you suffer more waisted time at the hands of our guards, haha!", I continued to say with a laugh.
"As long as it gets me past this place, I couldn't care less.", McBurn said as he shrugged his shoulders a bit. After McBurn did that, a look of anger appeared on Joshua's forehead.
"Well even if you haven't been around for a while, that attitude of yours hasn't changed a bit.", Joshua retorted.
Hearing that, Kloe and I laughed a bit. We were able to calm down the few patrol guard quads after revealing who we were to them. We also told them McBurn was with us and that he was allowed safe travel into Grancel City. Receiving a stern warning not to cause any trouble, the traffic of people resumed, and they were able to enjoy spending the festivities.
Sadly, that momentary peace only lasted for a moment, as the four of us suddenly bumped into a sun-kissed woman wearing a whip at her side not too far away from the Bracer Guild.
"Well well, here I was going to check on what was going on the south gate, but it seems it ended before I even arrived. So much for being tasked with providing extra backup.", Shera said, seeing the patrol guards at the south gate already start to disperse to the let the people flow resume.
"Haha, sorry about that. You're Shera, right? Estelle's senior, so to say?", I asked, seeing Shera in front of us now.
"That's right. I'm still surprised that you and Estelle know the prince and princess, Joshua.", Shera said as she looked at Joshua. "But then again, you two do hang around Cassius. Considering him, it's not out of the ordinary, I suppose.", Shera said, scratching her cheek a bit.
"But with that said, what's the deal with you? You seem to be all buddy buddy with Joshua here.", Shera decided to ask as she observed the vibrant blue haired man.
"You could say that. If anything, I'm rather quite acquainted with the Black Fang's brother. I'm gettin' an itch to spar with him again.", McBurn answered, only to reveal a light grin.
Hearing that caused Shera's eyes to blink.
"You have a brother, Joshua?", Shera asked Joshua. Seeing Joshua remain silent on this matter, it took him a good moment before he was able to speak.
"...Listen, Shera. Can you please not talk about this? It's bad enough to see this guy in Grancel. I do not want to bring Estelle into this.", Joshua said with a rather serious tone.
"Fine. I did always wonder why Cassius decided to take you in that night. But it looks like you aren't willing to talk about it, so I won't press the matter. This guy hasn't done any harm yet from what I witnessed at the south gate, so I'll pretend like he's just following the prince and princess. Does that work?", Shera asked as she looked at Joshua. Joshua simply nodded his head.
"Thank you, Shera.", Joshua responded respectfully as he nodded his head.
"Hehe, that won't come free though. I heard that you are looking to spend dinner tonight with His and Her Highness, and no way in Gehenna will I pass up on a free meal. You get where I'm going with this?", Shera responded, revealing a grin of her own. Seeing this, Joshua couldn't help but shake his head.
"Haha, you're more than welcome to join us tonight, Shera, was it? I do thank you for looking after Estelle and Joshua all the time.", Kloe responded as she stood beside me with a laugh.
"Heh. I like your style. Free food's always where its at. But before all that shit happens, I did actually come here with a purpose today, Your Highness. We can co somewhere where there isn't people, yeah?", McBurn suddenly said as he stood behind us.
"So you did have something, McBurn. I'm sure there are plenty of places for us to go and discuss. Should we head back to the Palace for the moment, Kloe?", I asked, looking toward Kloe.
"I'm sure we could do that, but that would take a bit to reach...", Kloe wondered herself.
"Why don't I take you guys into the Guild then? I'm sure Elnan won't mind. The other Bracers in Grancel are already on active jobs. It was just me when I last went in.", Shera suggested.
"Works for me. Close by too.", McBurn said, as he shrugged his shoulders a bit.
"Sounds good. The quicker we can finish this, the quicker we can join up with the others. I don't want to keep Estelle and the others waiting too long.", I said, also nodding my head.
"Very well, you guys can follow back inside the Guild. I'll tell Elnan we'll use the second floor for a bit.", Shera responded happily.
Hearing that, we each nodded our heads. Thankfully McBurn didn't feel like doing much right now, but the purpose he had, it was possible it had something to do to with that thing wrapped tightly that was hoisted over his back right now. He only yawned again before we started walking toward the Guild. Seeing him not say anything, we kept our conversation light along the way. We heard the Bracer Guild's door open with a ring of a bell, to which we were immediately greeted by a figure standing behind the counter.
"Oh my, it looks like you're back sooner than expected, Shera.", Elnan said, seeing Shera return.
"Yeah, it was kind of a bust. The situation resolved itself before I could even reach there. Mostly thanks to these two.", Shera said, only to motion her hand to the side, revealing us. Seeing two violet haired children, I saw Elnan's eyes blink at us.
"Y-Your Highnesses!?", Elnan suddenly blurted out in shock, seeing Kloe and I together.
"Hey there. Surprised to see us with Shera?", I replied with a grin.
"We do apologize for dropping in unannounced like this.", Kloe also responded.
"Nonsense. The Queen has already done so much for the Bracer Guild. It is a surprise to see Your Highnesses be acquainted with Shera here though. I can see little Joshua is here with you guys too. Where's that Estelle brat?", Elnan continued to ask.
"Estelle's currently not with us. It is nice to see you again, Elnan. We're only in Grancel for a little while thanks to Father.", Joshua said as he nodded his head.
"It would make sense for Cassius to be here, considering its Her Majesty's birthday celebration. Guessing you guys are out to celebrate the fun huh? But what's this about a bust for that security backup, Shera?", Elnan asked as he looked back at Shera.
"Well, it turns out the guy was acquainted with His Highness.", Shera said, shrugging her shoulders while letting out a sigh.
Hearing Shera say that, Elnan blinked his eyes for a moment before his eyes wandered, only to spot a vibrant blue haired man behind us.
"Yo.", McBurn casually said, only to raise one of his hands to say hello.
"You really brought him here!?", Elnan couldn't help but inwardly cry a bit.
"Well, stuff happened. Can we use upstairs for a few minutes?", Shera said, shrugging Elnan off.
"It's not like I can deny a request if its coming from Your Highness...Did that situation really resolve itself?", Elnan still decided to ask.
"Haha, we won't cause any trouble. It'll only be for a few minutes. You won't need that much, right McBurn?", I asked him.
"Nah. That's plenty.", McBurn said, shaking his head a bit.
"Good. Please pardon our intrusion then.", I said, only to look back at Elnan. In the end, Elnan could only nod his head with a defeated sigh.
"You're responsible for this, Shera.", Elnan retorted.
"I know, I know. I'll make sure to keep things in check. As a reward, I'll treat you to a drink later~", Shera said, giving Elnan a wink.
Yet the moment Shera uttered that, Elnan felt a cold shiver go down his spine, but didn't respond again. He only saw us retreat toward the second floor. Just like that, we were already out of sight from the public, only for McBurn to approach a nearby table and place down the tightly wrapped piece of cloth he was wearing around, which drew our interest...
*
Giliath demands your power stones!