"So you really have kept up with me over the years. You recall we crossed paths once back in Erebonia, right, Jaeger King?", I asked, smiling back at him. It really was him back then. The guy who hung around the east gate in Heimdallr when we were going there with His Imperial Highness.
"How could I forget about that? Seems like ya have been keepin' busy yourself, Your Highness. Your scuffle with the War God's successor has been becomin' famous amongst our groups as of late. I hear even now he is still recoverin'. Has a pretty hasty scar over his eye too.", Rutger said, explaining a little bit as to what happened after my fight with Randy.
Now that's new. A scar on one of his eyes, huh? Will that hurt his chances in joining the SSS later on, I wonder? I do kind of feel guilty about that, but that was my first life-and-death type of battle. I had to win no matter what. I never got to see how Randy fared after that took place. Sounds like he isn't holding up too well? He should still be part of the Red Constellation now, but before long, he will part ways with them, and join Crossbell's Guardian Force. Or the CGF for short. He becomes a soldier. Similar professions. If I hadn't set my motion in place, it was very possible Father might have sent me into the Imperial Army to become a soldier, and follow in his footsteps, where he stands as Erebonia's Chancellor, and me as a General.
Honestly, that outcome doesn't sound too bad now, does it? It goes hand-in-hand quite well, haha!
Sadly, reality turned toward a different direction by slapping the Auslese blood on me. There's no way I could have joined the Imperial Army with such a background. As for Randy, his departure from the Red Constellation doesn't happen for another few years. Around S1202, which is the same year the Sky games begin. I still have a while before I will likely encounter him again. Not unless I seek him out. It's nice to hear how Randy is currently doing.
Still, my lips curved upward into a smile.
"Why am I not surprised that this fight reached your ears? I'm sure it was spread by the Red Ogre, heh.", I replied with a playful laugh.
"That fight sounded awesome.", Fie said, looking at me with interest. Hearing that, Rutger laughed.
"Haha, ya could say that, Your Highness. But the past is the past. We shouldn't dwell on it too much. People say ya have been missin' these last three years. And ya just so happened to show up here. This can't be a coincidence. Liberl's Crown Prince.", Rutger said, smirking at me now. More surprises swept around me.
"Wait, this kid's a royal brat?", Firebird cursed, shocked to her core.
"Hehehe, how do you think we felt when we found out? Still, Jaegers shouldn't really stick their noses where they shouldn't belong. This info isn't available to the public.", Sherryl said, teasing them. Oy. They're Jaegers you know?
"Do you want the answer to that? If I do answer this question, this will be counted as one of the two I will answer for ya.", Rutger said, casually answering like that. But I could see he was serious. I contemplated for a moment, but I proceeded to nod my head.
"Only a select few know of the title I was given. If it's spreading around Jaegers, this might prove to be a problem in the future that I might have to tackle. So let's hear it, even though I can take a guess as to who.", I replied, nodding my head.
"Very well. It came from the Red Ogre. Sounds like he has some rather interestin' contacts. Paid a hefty amount Mira to the guy. And you needn't worry. It hasn't spread around. Not yet, at least. I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Constellation does reach out to ya again though, dependin' on where ya go from here.", Rutger said, answering me. "And that's one questioned answered. Ya got one left, Your Highness."
So the Red Ogre really did sell me out...
Well, at the very least, it sounds like this news hasn't really spread too far yet. If I end up clashing against the Red Constellation a second time, then so be it. And yet, at the time, I didn't know that this path of mine would actually lead to that!
"Very well. Then let us ask the main question at hand here. Why are you here on Nemeth Island? You can't be here just for fun.", I asked, wanting to know the answer.
"Heh. Simple really. We've been tasked in providing security 'round this island for a while. Not sure what exactly is happenin' here, but many influential figures come and go from this place. They paid some good Mira upfront but we were just slightly short of our budget to actually rent out some rooms. Thanks for savin' our hides back there. Rufus here said that you're the one covering for us.", Rutger said, smiling.
'They really are acting as bodyguards here, then? You do get to learn some dark stuff here on Nemeth Island and who comes and goes from this place. People like Speaker Hartmann and higher ups on the political spectrum love to come here. In Crossbell City, there exists a shadowy auction called the Schwarze Auction. The very same one that the SSS infiltrates during Zero to meet KeA. People who attend such auctions likely come to Paradise for even more "fun", to which I will not detail what it is.
I don't want to get cancelled, haha!
But influential people like them recruiting strong Jaeger corps like Zephyr makes sense. They don't want any mishaps during their stay here on Nemeth Island.
"I see. I might have been worried for nothing. Thanks for telling us this, Jaeger King.", I answered, smiling back at him.
"Oh it is no problem, Your Highness. I'm afraid we don't have much info to begin with. Just for a set period of time. I will warn you, tread carefully where ya go. Ya might find us as enemies, dependin' on who it is ya want to take out here. Your Highness isn't here just for fun and games, right?", Rutger asked, smiling back at me. It is as if an invisible streak of lightning crossed our eyes, only to have a thunderous boom follow it.
Was that a threat?
"Haha! We'll see about that. For now. We aren't enemies. So let's just leave it at that.", I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"You're fun, Naoto. I don't want us to be enemies.", Fie said, adding a comment to that. Well, that's good to hear, I guess. Sounds like Fie had some fun with the others.
Hearing that, Rutger let out a big laugh, and reached into one of his pockets, only to grab out a cigarette. He then lit it, and brought it to his lips. My eyes twitched seeing him do this.
"You know there's kids around, right Jaeger King?", I retorted seeing him smoke so openly like this.
"Oh come on. This adds to his character, Big Brother.", Sherryl said, looking back at me.
"I concur.", Tio replied with a nod.
"Smoking is still pretty bad though.", Van also said.
"Hey. I can do what I want. That's just how we Jaegers work. Ain't that right, Fie?", Rutger said, looking at Fie.
"Uh-huh. Daddy's super strong too. None of you can beat him.", Fie said in a proud tone.
Well now that's a strong claim.
"Ouch.", Lechter replied, letting out a laugh.
"Hey. I do not need to hear that from you.", I said, sneering at Lechter. Hearing me say this, he simply put his arms behind his head and started to whistle. Still, Sherryl shifted her head and looked at Fie with a surprised look.
"Rutger's your dad, Fie?", Sherryl asked.
"Yep.", Fie simply responded.
"Hey now, I didn't allow that question to be asked. Why don't we just leave it at that?", Rutger asked.
"Too late.", Fie said, and shrugged her shoulders.
Hearing that, all of us became quiet after sharing some more laughs. Before I realized it, the sun was dipping into the horizon, painting the sea in an orange light. It made quite the pretty scene alright. It was then a thought popped into my mind, causing me to look at the Jaeger King once more before we all moved into the resort building to call it for the night.
"Say, Jaeger King.", I asked, keeping my tone polite.
"Naoto?", Vita asked, wondering what I was about to ask. I had Vita start looking after Tamamo again now that the little poker game is now over.
"Now that's a different tone ya got there, Your Highness. What's up?", Rutger asked, gaining interest.
"This might sound selfish of me to ask, but you're such a prominent figure. It isn't often we can cross paths like this.", I replied. "Why don't we head out into an opening so I can explain further?"
"Fine by me."
"Oh? Is something happening?", Killing Bear's voice suddenly said, calling out to us.
"Well look at who finally decided to show up. Party's over, stupid Bear.", Firebird retorted seeing Killing Bear arrive.
"Tch. I don't need to hear that from you.", Killing Bear responded. He was the last one to arrive, but I let him be. I don't think I said his name yet. Killing Bear is Garcia Rossi, one of the antagonists in Zero. The SSS fights him on a couple of occasions. Honestly, I don't know why Killing Bear retires from Zephyr and joins up with the Mafia, but that isn't my place to ask. He doesn't leave Zephyr for another year at the earliest, so I'm just letting him do his own thing for now. Maybe he owes me a favor or two, now that I paid for some of his drinks? Haha!
Still, we parted from the tables, and made our way back to an open spot along the beach. I pulled out Glistening Moonlight. Other people just carry their weapons, or keep them on their bodies depending on what said weapon is. I can toggle my weapon on and off, just like my clothes. Rutger raised his eyes seeing me now holding onto Glistening Moonlight.
"You see, Jaeger King. I've received some training, and apart from what I plan to do here, I've been improving my body through different forms and exercises. I am the one and only disciple of the infamous Demon Commander. Well, he goes by the Sword Fox now. I'm sure you've come across his name once or twice.", I said to Rutger.
Rutger paused for a moment, but then he laughed.
"Hahaha! Now I know why I'm gettin' such a familiar feelin'. I just don't know the guy. I've crossed paths with him once or twice on the battlefield while he was still in service. I hear he's retired now.", Rutger said, causing me some surprise. So he clashed against Phillip, huh? Is this more hidden lore I didn't know about? Either way, that was a nice surprise to hear.
"It's good that you know, Jaeger King. Which is why I'm going to be selfish here. I am requesting a duel with you. I'm not expecting to win by any means, but I want to see how far I've come.", I stated, giving the Jaeger King my intention.
"Very well. Let's see what you've learned from him. I'll set a single condition. Land a hit anywhere on my body, and it's considered your win, Your Highness. How does that sound?", Rutger asked me.
"Fine by me.", I simply answered, smiling back at him.