Giliath demands your power stones!
*
Meanwhile as a certain group of people Naoto had gotten acquainted with over time who are now undergoing further training in western Erebonia unbeknownst to him, a certain bracer guild back in Grancel City could also be seen occupied by a few bracers. To be specific, on the second floor of the bracer guild, Schera could be seen laying down some tarot cards on a table she was sitting at her own pleasure. Shera wasn't alone though. At a different table nearby, a mountain of books could be seen piled on top of each other with Estelle seated next to it. Both annoyance and confusion could now be seen in Estelle's eyes as she twirled a pencil over her lips while a book was open before her.
As Estelle was doing that, Joshua came out from another area of the room to where plenty of books were stored in bookcases, only to be seen holding another book in his hands. He proceeded toward the table Estelle was at. Joshua proceeded to place the book he was holding down near the pile of stacked books. Seeing Joshua do that, Estelle frowned, letting the pencil that was twirling over her lips drop down onto the paper she had next to the open book in front of her.
"That should be the last one.", Joshua said, placing the last book down that he had grabbed.
"Oh Aidios, do we seriously need to learn all of this?", Estelle complained, only to stop the current book she had open to have a look at a few others that were placed in the tower beside, and began to read a few of their names. "Liberl's Geography for Dummies", "An Inside Look in the Heart of a Monster Swarm", "What Not to do If You Happen to Find Yourself in a Restricted Military Zone"...", Estelle uttered. Yet after she uttered the name of that last book, the annoyance and confusion she was previously feeling soon changed to that of anger.
"Why does it feel like this last one is targeted toward me specifically?", Estelle retorted in anger as an anger mark appeared over her forehead. Hearing Estelle retort that, Joshua only shook his head seeing Estelle behave like this.
"Well, Schera and I couldn't help but notice the tendency of you wandering off on your own back when we were in those sewers beneath Grancel for training. Your sense of direction isn't bad per se, but I am not sure how you would behave should you find yourself in such a situation.", Joshua answered, shrugging his shoulders.
"Joshua's right Estelle. I am still hesitant on sending you out on your own if you have such behavior. Joshua's been keeping a good eye out, but if you two are to become Bracers, there will be times where you are forced to act alone. And besides, it's not unheard of for bracers and the military to do joint operations together. Should problems arise that require action from the military, we bracers typically act as peacemakers to ensure the citizens' safety.", Schera said as she placed down another tarot card on her table.
"I do get your two's point, but we really need to learn all of this though?", Estelle responded with a frown, only to turn back to the open book she had. Joshua revealed a playful smile after Estelle asked that.
"It will be your fault if you don't pass the written test, Estelle. It isn't just all about hunting monsters.", Joshua simply retorted, only to have Estelle let out a groan as she heard him say that.
Schera could only giggle hearing the two bicker back and forth like that as she continued to do her fortune reading. At least for now, it appeared these bracers were going to enter a busy time. Their bracer exam was fast approaching in just a little over a year or two.
Yet it appeared Estelle and Joshuea weren't going to be alone this time around while preparing for their bracer exam. It wasn't just those two who currently had interest in becoming bracers.
While the two were studying on the second floor with Schera watching over them, further outside of the bracer guild, a sole figure could be seen walking toward it. They were currently wearing a long sleeved pink shirt with purple pants hidden away, rather than the usual black tight suit she often wore during her travels. Two years ago, apart from getting further acquainted with Naoto, she had traveled around Zemuria with Kilika, and learned Taito under her. And now back into the present, this figure had a new resolution, and that was to become a bracer. As she approached the door to the bracer guild, she sported a smile over her face.
"It seems it's quieted down at the castle and with Naoto now out of the picture for now, that certainly gives me more free time on hand. I heard that Kilika also got promoted in one of the branches recently too..", The figure uttered to herself. She then had a good look at the bracer emblem, before her eyes became firm. Of course, this figure was Angelica. After having that week pass, things did calm back down inside the castle. She was surprised to learn that Naoto would be heading to Legram of his list of things to do first, but with him being all the way in Erebonia now, those who remained behind Liberl like Angelica could now tend to her own schedule as she had planned to.
However, before Angelica could reach her hand out to open the door and express her interest in joining, she saw two figures approach from the south block, who began to head her way.
"Hmm, well aren't you a new face?", An aged man's voice reached her ears.
"Ain't that obvious, old man? What's interestin' you in this place?", A voice of another man who appeared quite rugged in tone. This man had fiery red hair and had a large sword currently strapped over his back.
Angelica couldn't help but stare as she saw Casius and Agate approach her.
"Cassius?", Angelica couldn't help but utter in surprise, not expecting to see Cassius here. As did her, Cassius also got a good look at Angelica.
"Aren't you one of the girls His Highness has taken a fancy to? I've seen you around the castle a few times.", Cassius said, welcoming Angelica.
"You are correct about that. I have been showing interest in this place for quite some time.", Angelica said, greeting the two bracers. "But weren't you set to head back to Rolent, Cassius?", Angelica wondered, seeing Cassius still here.
"Haha, I'm just showing Agate here the ropes in Grancel, but yes I am due to return to Rolent soon with Estelle. Anyways, Angelica, was it? What brings you here? Something isn't happening again, is it?", Cassius asked Angelica.
"Oh don't worry, it's nothing of that sort. I heard Kilika has been promoted in another branch and I may have finally shown some interest in becoming a bracer as well, seeing how well Kilika has been doing lately.', Angelica said, explaining her situation.
"You know Kilika? I personally haven't been to Zeiss yet but that's on the list to go to after I get used to bein' here in Grancel.", Agate responded with surprise in his eyes.
"I do. She's my teacher after all. Learned Taito under her.", Angelica responded with a grin.
"So that's the connection, huh? I mean if you are as you say, the bracer guild would definitely welcome someone who is efficient in Taito. I could even have Schera watch over your progress to become a bracer as I did for Estelle and Joshua.", Cassius began to say, only to hear the door to the bracer guild suddenly open, which distracted the three.
"I knew you'd come back, Daddy.", Estelle happily said, seeing Cassius now in front of her. Joshua was also beside her, and could only shrug his shoulders.
"Estelle wanted a breather. Too many books she says.", Joshua retorted, shrugging his shoulders as he did.
"Hmph, and whose fault do you think that is, huh?", Estelle retorted back, glancing at him.
"Now, now, taking breathers is fine and all, but we have some business to get to. A newbie here is looking to join the guild just as you two are.", Cassius said, welcoming Estelle and Joshua.
"Ah?", Estelle wondered, hearing Cassius's words just now, only to glance her eyes in a different expression. Her eyes lifted in interest seeing Angelica before her.
"It's you. We met back at the Queen's birthday!", Estelle happily responded, seeing Angelica before her.
"It's nice to see you two again.", Angelica happily nodded her head as well. Joshua also welcomed her, and the five proceeded inside the guild. Seeing a new face, even Elnan became interested after the commotion died down in front of their building.
It appeared it was going to get quite busy for Angelica after all.
Yet as the bracer guild welcomed a new arrival...
In another part of Grancel City, another figure of a woman could be seen moving in and out of people, slowly making her way toward the end of the north block. What remained in the distance was now Grancel Castle. Seeing the castle now in view, the woman decided to pause for a moment. If one looked closely, compared to the armor she was used to wearing, she currently had a large briefcase in her hands and was wearing a dark suit instead. She had very pale white hair that was accented with pink tips. A smile couldn't help but curl over her lips as she observed the castle.
"So this is Grancel Castle huh? There's a rumor spreading around saying His Highness has vanished again. I wonder, what could you be up to now?", The woman uttered to herself before getting a good look at the castle, only to proceed walking toward it...