A few hours later.
Liberl. Grancel Castle.
The Glorious sped along over Grancel's skies at a cruising altitude. The day had already begun, and the healing session with Renne and Quatre ended before Naoto realized it. It was much worse when these sessions began, but it's manageable now. Both Renne and Quatre show much more spirit and vigor now compared to before, and Naoto was happy to see his healing have results. And he even got rewarded for it with Minor Heal!
Healing was quite overpowered in the original The Gamer. It acted directly to a character's health pool. If that mechanic carried over to here, Naoto could very well heal serious wounds later on. He does have Superhuman Endurance already so it will be hard to damage him off the bat, but there are many, many powerful people in Zemuria, such as the Jaeger King. He could dish out heavy damage off the bat. Having the ability to heal will definitely help Naoto in the long run.
The scenery began to change. It soon switched to Grancel Castle. In particular the tall tower situated on the castle's backside. Princess Klaudia's private quarters.
It was rather bright and fluffy. The morning rays pierced into the room, signaling the start of the day. A short, violet-haired girl could be seen sleeping peacefully inside the bed, waiting for her day to begin.
"Schree, Schree~", A happy voice chirped, only to have the sound of wings flapping soon after. A large falcon suddenly flew around in a circle one or two times before the falcon descended, and landed on the girl's veranda. Seeing no immediate response, the falcon tilted their head.
"Schree?", The falcon asked. The falcon seemed to be male. He looked around for a little bit. If one looked closely, a small slip of paper could be seen attached around one of his talons.
"Mmm...", The girl uttered, and raised one of her hands to rub her eyes. "Is it morning already?"
"Schree!", The falcon happily chirped again, finally hearing a response from someone he knew well. The window was already cracked open, allowing the falcon to fly in with ease. The girl's eyes turned wide, not expecting the falcon to arrive at her side so early in the morning.
"Sieg, is that you?", The girl asked. She still rubbed her eyes, trying to wake up. Before long, the falcon soon came into view. His name was Sieg. There is meaning behind Sieg being a white falcon. That's because Liberl's crest is none other than the white falcon! Who else could this girl be but Princess Klaudia? Similar to Naoto, she too, turned ten earlier in the year. After all, they share the same age.
Princess Klaudia leaned upward, and placed her back against some pillows. She brought her legs to the side of the bed.
"Schree.", Sieg said, acknowledging Princess Klaudia with a nod of his head, acting like he actually understood her. Both Princess Klaudia and certain members of the Royal Army received falcon training to understand Sieg. While not conveyed in words, Princess Klaudia could easily understand him. This was shown a lot in Sky. Seeing Sieg arrive, Princess Klaudia smiled.
Seeing Princess Klaudia was within reach now, Sieg approached her, and nuzzled his head against her arm. Seeing this, Princess Klaudia smiled.
"Hehe. What brings you here today, Sieg? This is unlike you.", Princess Klaudia asked.
"Schree.", Sieg answered.
"A letter? From whom?", Princess Klaudia questioned, wondering what it was about. She looked down, and saw the sealed letter. Reaching downward, she removed it from Sieg's talon, and unwrapped it.
Bringing the letter to her eyes, there was but one simple line written on it.
"Did you miss me?"
Reading this moment, Princess Klaudia felt her heart quicken. Thump. Thump. Thump. Her eyes became dazed for a moment, only to turn wide a second time. "This handwriting belongs to...!", Princess Klaudia exclaimed.
As if on cue, Princess Klaudia heard sirens blare all around her private quarters. It was the same sirens one would hear when back at Leiston Fortress. It wasn't just Princess Klaudia's room. These sirens blared throughout all of Grancel Castle.
"What's going on...?", Princess Klaudia asked again. It wasn't often she heard this. Rarely at all. But she didn't feel any ill feelings directed at her. She didn't immediately panic. It didn't take long for her to hear sounds of feet shuffling, quickly arriving at her doorstep.
"Your Highness, are you alright!?", The figure asked, only to be seen dressed in the garb of the Royal Army. A blue long coat with a blue beret. Unlike those assigned in the normal army, the Royal Army dons a different attire. Blue in color. That meant they were assigned to Princess Klaudia and Her Majesty the Queen. A rapier was equipped at her waist. A couple maids followed behind her, as did Hilda.
"Julia? And even you, Hilda?", Princess Klaudia asked, surprised to see both of them together like this. Seeing Princess Klaudia acting normal, Julia sighed in relief.
"Oh thank Aidios it looks like you are fine and well, Your Highness.", Julia said. It was then she spotted Sieg beside her. "Haha, I guess we were beaten to the punch after all."
"What do you mean by that, Julia?", Princess Klaudia asked, still confused. She even saw Hilda smile, and chuckled. It was then the few figures heard one more shuffling sound reach them, followed with a laugh.
"Fufu. I told you not to worry, didn't I, Julia? It looks like I won this one. I just didn't expect this to happen in such a grandiose manner. But then again he is HIS son, so it is within the realm of possibility. Like father like son, I guess?", A regal voice said, reaching their ears. Hearing this, the Royal Army panicked, and gave the approaching figure a salute.
Princess Klaudia's eyes turned serious. She was now out of bed, but still dressed in her nightgown from the night prior. She saw an old woman wearing a royal dress step into her bedroom, greeting Princess Klaudia with a smile.
"Grandmother!", Princess Klaudia exclaimed, both surprised and happy. She ignored th e ongoing sirens. It didn't take long for her to realize she was still in her nightgown, causing a light blush to appear on her cheeks. She quickly hid within the covers again. Seeing this happen before her, Queen Alicia chuckled.
"Go freshen up and come out onto the terrace, Klaudia. Although unexpected, the Crown Prince has returned. This is a joyous occasion. We ought to celebrate!", Queen Alicia declared, even causing the Royal Army beside her shock.
"So Naoto really has returned to us...", Princess Klaudia said. Her initial embarrassment vanished, and a smile bloomed on her lips.
As for the aged figure standing before her, it was none other than the ruling party of all of Liberl, Queen Alicia herself. She turned toward Hilda with a serious look in her eyes, and issued down a command.
"Make sure Klaudia is presentable in the next fifteen minutes and bring her to the garden terrace posthaste.", Queen Alicia commanded.
"Of course, Your Majesty.", Hilda responded, bowing at her. Soon after, Queen Alicia, Julia, and the guards and maids accompanying them vanished, only to have a single maid accompany Hilda to assist Princess Klaudia.
By now, Princess Klaudia's sleepiness was long gone, and was wide awake. The sirens didn't stop, but once she knew she was just with her maids now, she made sure not to stumble out of bed. Thanks to Hilda's handiwork, Princess Klaudia was quick to get dressed and ready.
Fifteen minutes later...
Garden Terrace.
Out in the open, it was the wintry season once again. Snow lightly fell, scattering through the rolling winds. It was enough to cover the trees in a thin blanket. Several soldiers clad in green all aligned promptly on each side. They lined all the way down the red carpet leading into the castle itself. Each soldier had a standard-issued orbal rifle.
Toward the end of the garden terrace on the left side where the platform opened up, several key figures could be seen. Queen Alicia was amongst them. Princess Klaudia walked toward her with Hilda in tow, donned in a full dress. Even a tiara rested atop her head now.
Next to her was someone dressed in his own military uniform, despite being retired from the military. It was more of a formality. Queen Alicia smiled seeing this man stand beside her.
"I'm surprised you managed to arrive in time, Colonel.", Queen Alicia said, greeting the man.
"Haha, that's ex-colonel, Your Majesty. I just happened to be in town, and the now-colonel Richard extended an olive branch. I couldn't turn down such an invitation. I even happened to bring my cute daughter with me! Oh how time flies. It was as if I had visited the castle from back then!", The man said, letting out a hearty laugh.
Hearing that, Queen Alicia smiled.
"Are you sure you don't want to return to the military, Cassius?", Queen Alicia asked.
The two ignored the sirens. Instead their gazes were drawn upward. They saw a gigantic red airship with its roars sailing the sky. It descended vertically downward, slowly and steady.
After Queen Alicia asked that, a girl popped out beside the man called Cassius. Her hair was auburn-brown and was put into twin tails. She blinked onward, full of curiosity.
"Are you going to return to the army, Daddy? What exactly is going on?", The girl asked.
"Oh you'll know soon enough, Estell. Why ruin the surprise now?", Cassius responded, only to cause Estell to pout for not receiving a direct answer.
After that was said, Princess Klaudia quickly approached them. "It looks like we made it in time."
"It's Kloe!", Estelle happily said, causing Princess Klaudia to pause in her tracks. Her eyes turned wide once again, not expecting to see a familiar face amongst the soldiers. She saw Colonel Richard off to the side too with his hands placed behind his back.
"E-Estelle? What in Aidios's name brings you here?", Princess Klaudia asked, only to see Cassius arrive next to Estelle.
"It sure has been a while, hasn't it, Your Highness?", Cassius said, also greeting Princess Klaudia.
"Even you too, Cassius?", Princess Klaudia asked, still surprised.
"Hehe, Her Majesty invited us! Pretty cool, right? I have no idea why though!", Estelle responded. Other soldiers arrived beside them as a safety measure. They all looked upward, seeing the giant red orbal airship continue to descend.
Seeing everyone's eyes all looking toward the same spot in the sky, Estelle and Princess Klaudia decided to do the same, and look upward too. Estelle became shocked to see such a gigantic airship. Princess Klaudia also saw the Glorious for the first time, her eyes wide in shock.
After a couple moments passed by as if time had slowed down while the sirens blared, her eyes soon saw several figures on deck that became visible.
Those at Grancel Castle couldn't recognize them, but Princess Klaudia knew. She knew well who these people were. Her heart thumped faster and faster in excitement, quickly scanning the deck. Her eyes soon spotted a violet-haired boy dressed in his Phoenix Robe.
Next to the boy was a plum-haired girl with a staff in her hands. A few tears appeared in Princess Klaudia's eyes, quickly recognizing the boy.
Princess Klaudia saw the boy waving his hands toward everyone down below. A smile appeared on his face.
"It really is you, Naoto...", Princess Klaudia uttered, smiling. Before she
"Wait, did you just say Naoto, Kloe?", Estelle asked, only to quickly try to trace Princess Klaudia's gaze, and finally spotted Naoto amongst the crowd of people on the deck above. Seeing this boy in the distance, she felt familiar, which confused her. "Strange, why is it that I feel I've seen this person before?"
Hearing Estelle ask that, Cassius chuckled. It was then the boy called out to them.
"Heyyy! I'm back!", Naoto shouted. He waved his hands. As he did, he spotted Queen Alicia below him. His gaze matched with hers, and the two nodded their heads at each other, acting as if they had come to an agreement without even saying anything.
It was then Queen Alicia turned around, and looked toward everyone present at the castle. She made a declaration right then and there.
"I stand here to you all today with the Goddess Aidios bearing witness. I hereby declare that Liberl's Crown Prince has returned!", Queen Alicia exclaimed, raising her arm upward.
VOL 4 - Into The Cult FIN