Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try getting over 500!
*
Meanwhile, as Naoto's group began to enter a private orbal car that Claire had brought along to the Central Station and proceeded inside of it, some activity could also be seen somewhere else in Heimdallr, only to be accompanied by what appeared to be two figures, currently standing further on the long golden bridge that lead to a very large and breathtaking crimson castle that seemed to tower over the rest of Heimdallr. This was of course Valflame Palace, standing proudly as the years have passed by. It is one of the oldest buildings in all of Erebonia after all, only to be used by members of its Imperial Family, as well as the Imperial Diet.
Still, if one had a close look at the bridge, which was surrounded by crystal clear water, the couple of palace guards, who were currently standing guard at its entrance, could currently be seen in a dazed manner. Further inside the bridge, the two figures appeared to be somewhat illusory, letting their figures bend to the reflection of the sun, but it was actually the skill of the second figure currently at hand. Yet with such a thing, the first figure couldn't help but look down at the second figure after getting a good look at Valflame Palace, which was now in front of them.
"So. Tell me. Why is it that I'm with you again after seeing the girls off? Some days have passed but I've been trying to wrap up my business here in the capital's branch.", The tall man said, only to look down at the green haired boy, only for him to grin after hearing that.
"Now that poses a good question indeed. Why did you come?", The green haired boy said with a playful grin.
"You were the one who sent me the invitation, you bastard.", The first man said, only to curse him with a retort. Hearing that only caused the green haired boy to laugh.
"Hahaha, it was merely an invitation. They can be turned down you know.", The green haired boy said, letting out a sigh as he did a motion of his hand.
"Oh sure. Any normal person would just want to decide to wander inside Valflame Palace, doing Aidios knows what. You really didn't leave me a window to refuse.", The tall man retorted again. "Last time you said you wouldn't cause any funny business. I can't trust you snakes after all.", The tall man continued to say.
"Well, for one, I am far from being called normal. But if you want assurance, it is true I am not here on any funny business. It's not like I am here without an invitation either.", The green haired boy said, trying to assure the tall man that his visit in coming here was not meant to cause any trouble. Of course, he was the same Campanella, while the tall man was Zin. Zin had not left the capital yet after having Renne and Sherryl settle down at St. Astraia, but he didn't know the Fool would reach out to him again, only to find himself standing in front of Valflame Palace now. Zin only stared at Campanella after he said that.
"...Someone invited you inside the palace?", Zin couldn't help but ask, feeling surprised as Campanella said that.
"Indeed he was. I do thank you for responding to it.", A deeper third voice said, reaching out to Campanella and Zin, causing Zin to look back to the front of the bridge, coming from the entrance of the castle. The two soon saw a similarly tall man approach them, who was decked out in a sleek long black robe jacket. A sole gray-white strand of hair streaked down his left side, showing his age. He was quite old, and is approaching fifty years of age. But despite that, he walked down the bridge in confidence, considering where his current stature was.
After all, this man was the acting Chancellor of one, if not the largest nation in Zemuria. Chancellor Giliath Osborne.
Seeing Giliath arrive, Zin only stared at him in surprise while Campanella gave him a bow.
"The Chancellor invited you?", Zin asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Haha, an invitation to the likes of me who couldn't refuse it, either.", Campanella responded with a laugh. "Though do tell, this is not our first meeting in person, is it not, Your Excellency?", Campanella asked seeing the Chancellor before him.
"I do believe it is. All for within reason, though. I didn't think you'd bring a a friend with you.", Giliath said, only to observe Zin. "And a Bracer no less.", Giliath continued to say, musing to himself.
"Hey, it was pretty much forced on me. As long as this guy's in town, I'm making sure things don't get out of hand.", Zin said, shrugging his shoulders, letting out a sigh as he used his left hand to point at Campanella.
"Well, to add to that, it seems we've had some common ground lately, but my business is mostly wrapped up here as well, apart from checking this matter inside the palace. You should know what I am referring to right, Your Excellency?", Campanella said, only for Giliath to respond with a nod of his head.
"I do. You are here to check the status of the Vermillion Trial. Thankfully it has not yet activated. But the time for it draws near. Regardless of your friend, I will take you inside the palace.", Giliath said, assuring Campanella since he was invited by him nonetheless.
At this time, Ouroboros and Giliath were not in cooperation yet, but as a result of Naoto being behind the activation of the Vermillion Trial, Campanella took it upon himself to see how the situation was by coming here directly. Giliath wasn't opposed to it either.
Unbeknownst to many, a single secret was held deep within the palace. Spanning hundreds of meters downward was a single chamber which was kept secret to only the Imperial Family of the Arnor bloodline, and top members of the Imperial Diet, such as Giliath. It could only be activated by the blood that ran through the Arnor royal family. Such is the case with the second prince, Cedric, becoming the pilot of the Vermillion Knight in the future. The Divine Knight's true body was kept chained up deep within Valflame Palace, and only a select few could venture to go see it. Exceptions were those like Duke Cayenne, who has been plotting to try and steal it which prompted the October War in the first place.
But now, with Naoto's existence in the mix, another variable has popped into play.
For he who was a bastard child, being birthed with both the Auslese Bloodline which could activate one of the Sept-Terrions, the Shining Ring, and that of the Arnor bloodline, albeit with how faint that blood already is. At most, the Phoenix family were cousins that directly served Erebonia's Imperial Family until they all perished in the War of the Lions two hundred and fifty years ago.
Yet no matter how faint the bloodline runs through his body is, Naoto is still qualified to partake in the trial. Such trial lays its proving grounds within Valflame Palace itself. Its proving grounds were a testament in one of the games, which allowed the Infernal Castle to rise up from its ashes.
However, one difference that wasn't displayed then, was the existence of a magic circle popping up in front of Dreichels Plaza. It remains inactive, only to be activated by the trial goer. No one knew what it did, nor did even the likes of Campanella knew if the Infernal Castle would rise from it. As for those who tried to guess what it did, they guessed that it could even lead to someplace else entirely.
Unfortunately, they could not see where it would lead to until the person is ready to start the Vermillion Trial, to which would be Naoto. Campanella could only look at the dead magic circle as he walked by it to arrive past the entranceway that lead into Valflame Palace.
If there was one surprising factor to this though, was that Zin was still here, and beside Campanella, with the Chancellor now in front of him. Hearing the two exchange words, Zin's gaze couldn't help but turn serious.
"So this matter is related to the Vermillion Trial after all...", Zin couldn't help but utter, which drew the two's interest.
"Oh?", Campanella asked with growing interest.
"Well now. I didn't think a senior Bracer like yourself would be so fluent in the olden folklore.", Giliath also said, musing to himself as he didn't expect Zin to say that.
"Olden folklore my ass. I had simply asked to partake in it after suggesting it to His Highness, and he accepted.", Zin said, only to shrug his shoulders after Giliath said that. Hearing that, Giliath couldn't help but grin.
"It would seem we would have something to discuss in detail after all.", Giliath said, revealing a playful grin as he looked at Zin. Seeing the Chancellor grin like this, even Zin felt a cold drop of sweat trickle down his back.
'Me and my big mouth...', Zin inwardly cried to himself.