As always Giliath demands your power stones!
*
S1199. December 31st. 10PM.
Couple hundred meters beneath Valflame Palace.
A sole large platform slowly descended, constantly moving downward. On this sole platform stood six figures. the Emperor, the Chancellor, Prince Naoto, Princess Alfin, the Witch Emma, and the main Captain of the RMP Officers, Claire. Both Emma and Claire were still in uniform, signaling that they were still on the mission tasked to them or still on guard duty. Emma remained calm
but a look of surprise could be seen in Claire's eyes as she observed the current place they were at. It was a very long shaft, with castle walls built all around the circumference of the shaft.
"I've only read history books on the War of the Lions, but to think such a massive structure really existed beneath Valflame Palace...", Ciaire uttered in amazement as she saw the long dark corridor that stretched downward for miles on end. It was a giant structure to say the least. The castle's walls extended downward for miles, but these walls were vastly different to what was built for Valflame Palace. It also appeared very old and mysterious. On top of that, Claire saw roots and branches, likely belonging to that of a giant tree. These roots constantly swirled around the castle walls, and appeared quite menacing. A thick and dense vermillion aura wrapped around them, almost appearing blood-like. The place they were heading downward to was definitely quite a lot to take in.
"It really is amazing, isn't it? It was only mentioned in our clan's tales from the village I come from. While those may be fairy tales, the place they refer to is definitely real. We are currently descending into the dormant Infernal Castle.", Emma answering Claire's doubt.
"So you really are a witch of the Hexen Clan. No wonder why you didn't react much seeing this place unlike Claire. Your duty is to monitor these types of places that are out of human reach, correct?", Giliath asked with interest.
"Yes. I am sorry for not being able to introduce myself earlier as a witch. We are quite secretive in the way we do things. Apart from acting as Naoto's guard, I am merely here as an observer to check in on Testa-Rossa. After this visit, however, I will be serving as Naoto's guide during the Vermillion Knight trials.", Exmma said, explaining her stance on things.
"So that elusive Hexen Clan still exists to this day, huh? It's starting to make sense to me, considering the Divine Knights are still in existence. I am still amazed that Prince Naoto managed to form a connection with the vermillion knight.", Emperor Eugent mused at Emma's words. Meanwhile, Princess Alfin had curiosity in her eyes as she looked at Emma.
"Are you really a witch, Emma? Does that mean magic is real?", Princess Alfin asked with interest.
"It most certainly does. Normal humans just don't perceive it as real, making it just a fantasy to most. People with higher sensitivity to Mana are an exception. They can see the world for what it truly is. Magic is quite in tune with our natural elements too. Each person can have an affinity for a certain element.", Emma explained, causing me to nod my head to her words.
"It's as Emma said, Alfin. Time to watch and learn.", I said, responding to Emma's words. I drew everyone's attention, and raised my right hand. Before Princess Alfin could respond, she saw me extend two fingers out. I channeled some of my mana and attuned to the elements around me. It didn't take long for a little fireball and a ball of water to appear over my two fingers. The moment Princess Alfin saw this, her eyes turned wide, while Emperor Eugent just stared at my fingers. A blue glow congealed over my hand for a brief period before it created these two small spells. Normally a spell would require a chant, but just practicing with the elements like this didn't require it.
And if there was a certain fox present here, no doubt would she try to eat this as a snack.
"Why am I not surprised that you can use magic...Just learning of its existence is already scary enough.", Emperor Eugent said, letting out a sigh as he saw me cast two simple elemental spells. Yet seeing me do this so effortlessly, Emma smiled.
"It would seem you've been practicing during my absence. I'd like to see how much you've improved since I departed from Grancel.", Emma smiled.
"Haha, I'm no slouch when it comes to practicing my swordsmanship and magic spells. I've been recently practicing teleporting longer distances you know? I have enough mana to move from Leiston Fortress to Grancel Castle, but I am not sure moving from Grancel Castle to Valflame Palace is doable yet for me.", I said, answering Emma. Yet hearing that, Princess Alfin paused for a moment before her eyes lit up.
"If you are able to do such a thing Big Brother, then that means you would be able to come pay me a visit whenever you want to!", Princess Alfin responded happily as she clapped her hands.
"You're rather accepting of this, aren't you, Alfin?", Emperor Eugent retorted, shaking his head seeing his daughter happy like this.
"Hpmh. A lot of incredible things have been happening lately. And I'll go back to my previous remark. Naoto is still Naoto to me. It doesn't matter what you can or can't do.", Princess Alfin said, pouting at her father.
"Alfin...", I uttered, revealing a smile. Hearing even father let out a laugh.
"Haha! Befitting words of a princess. You know, perhaps you are more suited for the throne than His Highness Olivert is.", Giliath mused seeing Princess Alfin behave like this. She's been pretty strong in displaying her opinions outright, rather than being shy like she does at other times. As Giliath said that, Giliath turned his head toward Emperor Eugent. "You've noticed lately, haven't you, Your Majesty? His Highness Olivert holds little desire to keep his position as the Crown Prince.", Giliath continued to say. Emperor Eugent became more serious as he nodded his head.
"Yes. I am well aware of that. Olivert is not suitable for the throne. That much is clear to me. I hate to burden young Prince Cedric with such a concept, and Alfin is too young to consider such matters here either. It's been putting me in quite a conundrum.", Emperor Eugent said, shaking his head.
"I guess only time will tell for that one, eh? Perhaps Alfin here will spread her wings, just like how I am currently set for Liberl's throne. Our country is more matriarchal so I'm surprised Grandmother even made me Crown Prince in the first place.", I mused.
"Something to worry about, for both our futures, I guess. Who knows how things will play out from here. Especially if our tales of old are going to see the light of day once more...", Emperor Eugent said, only to look downward as our single platform continued moving. Slowly but surely, it continued to make its descent. Right now, we were all in a dormant Infernal Castle. It actually rested entirely beneath Valflame Palace. It required the Hexen Clan's magic to let it rise from its ashes. But it was also home to the sealed Testa-Rossa.
A part of this area also included the Gral of Erebos, but was placed elsewhere underneath Heimdallr. I don't know how, but the Gnomes were able to transport it all the way beyond the imperial villa before activating it to trigger the Great Twilight. Right now though, it was just a giant pit of nothingness, since there still were five Divine Knights in slumber. Very similar to the dormant state of the Infernal Castle we were descending into.
Seeing as it was still going to take some time to reach our destination, I turned toward my father. Giliath was quick to notice my gaze as well.
"Has talking about the future put some stress on you, Your Highness? Is something the matter?", Giliath asked, returning to his usual demeanor, acting a stranger to me since Claire was now with us.
"It's not that.", I said, shaking my head in return. "I was thinking of changing the topic a bit, seeing as we've a few moments before arriving into the depths of the Infernal Castle.", I said, drawing everyone's attention.
"Oh? Is there a matter that requires more discussion?", Giliath mused.
"Yes. I was waiting until after we finished our meeting, since I don't see this as held in high secrecy as what we have previously talked about. Before I came back to Erebonia these last couple of]months, I had a certain device made.", I began to say. With all eyes now on me, I rummaged through my clothes a bit, pretending to go into my pockets to activate my Inventory. It really was such a handy feature of the system. I could open it anywhere at any time. I had my Engima II stored there, so I went ahead and took it out. Everyone raised their eyebrows seeing this Combat Orbment.