Just like that, the birthday celebration for the Liberl's Royal Family went off without a hitch. S1197 came and went, and soon came S1198, the very same year the DG Cult Extermination took place. While the young prince joked about the celebration lasting a day, that actually wasn't the case. It soon turned into a series of events, causing Prince Olivert and Princess Alfin to reside at Grancel Castle's Erebonian Embassy for the time being. One thing led to another...
Meanwhile, as a certain group came together to have some fun inside Grancel City...
"Phew, that sure took longer than I initially thought. Still gotta thank His Highness for giving this opportunity. A real shame that he isn't what i thought he'd be. Different set of circumstances. But with that line of thought, perhaps we are similar after all?", A lazy voice said, striking an unknown space. The scenery changed entirely, and it was no longer Grancel City. Far from it.
It focused on a large, holographic-like platform. Suddenly, a dense, fiery-blue circle appeared at its center. It wasn't red any longer. The blaze seemed much thicker. It was more blue and black now. Shortly after, a sole figure emerged from the magic circle, revealing a colorful blue and red-haired man.
Seeing this person's arrival, another figure turned around and saw the man arrive.
"Oh my, and here I thought you left us for good, Blazing Demon. Still, you sure benefited from that reward His Highness gave you. Welcome to the Celestial Globe.", The voice said, which belonged to who else but Campanella?
"Oh yeah? How about I give you a little taste of these new flames of mine personally?", McBurn said, only to do a gesture of his hand. Woosh! A thick blue flame appeared, ready to burst forth.
"Come on now, I don't want to ruin my beautiful face I've spent years perfecting.", Campanella replied with a playful grin.
Hearing Campanella and McBurn start arguing like this, a third voice reached out to the two, which came from another corner of the large room. A shadowy figure soon emerged. It was a man.
"This isn't a place for fighting, you two.", The third voice said, deciding to speak out to the two. A shadow emerged not too far away beside him. It was a man who had just started his twenties. What stood out was the fact he had full silver hair, and had a long white coat draped over his body. Seeing this man arrive, Campanella smiled, and greeted him.
"Well well well, if it isn't the Bladelord himself. How have you been?", Campanella asked.
"Oh life's still moving on as always. I had some free time on my hands, seeing that the Black Fang's part of the Gospel Plan is now underway. Figured I'd check up on things here. Didn't think I'd get to meet another Enforcer who had direct access to the Celestial Globe. Not many of us do. They must pass through you first, Campanella.", Loewe said, greeting the two.
"Haha! That is the case, isn't it? But you two are a special exception to that rule. After all, you two are the strongest Enforcers we have presently. It's only right to let you come into this place. A special meeting ground which has a sole purpose of reporting our status to the Anguis and the Grandmaster, the Celestial Globe. I welcome you two nonetheless, Blazing Demon and the Bladelord.", Campanella said, appearing serious for once. He even gave the two a bow.
"Mmm.", Loewe said, nodding his head, only to look at McBurn again. "At least you finally returned, McBurn. You seem even stronger than before.", Loewe said, raising his eyes at the fiery demon.
"What can I say? You know, it isn't often we meet like this. How about another round of combat? That is, if you're up for it.", McBurn proposed.
"An interesting proposal. I haven't had a good stretch in a long while. And I wish I could take you up on that offer. Sadly, we were brought here for another reason. Isn't that right, Fool?", Loewe asked, looking back at Campanella.
"Haha! You have that wit of yours as always, Loewe. Indeed. We have something planned for today. It doesn't matter if you like to spend the majority of your day lazing around.", Campanella replied, shooting his eyes back at McBurn as if he was directing that comment at him.
"Yeah yeah, I hear you. We can save our fight for another day. So what's up?", McBurn decided to ask, wanting to know why both he and Loewe were brought here to the Celestial Globe.
"The two of you were brought here for a VERY special reason. Let us welcome the Anguis and the Grandmaster.", Campanella suddenly said, and snapped his fingers. Right after he did that, their surroundings shimmered in a faint light. Seven pillars majestically descended. One after another, they all lit up in rapid succession.
And it didn't end there. An illusory figure of the same ethereal beauty who Naoto saw back at the Osborne Villa alongside the Steel Maiden way back then appeared. Her very existence faded in and out, wondering if she was even real. McBurn raised his eyebrows seeing the Grandmaster herself appear. Some rumors speculate the Grandmaster is the Goddess Aidios herself, but that remains to be seen. After all, people like Roselia are reincarnations of the Goddess's Holy Beasts, so who knows?
After everyone arrived, Campanella folded his arms over one another, while McBurn and Loewe approached him, arriving side by side. McBurn even whistled seeing every single pillar light up. That meant everyone here was present.
"Sheesh, we have a full house today, don't we? Don't tell me, did the Gospel Plan fail or something?", McBurn wondered.
"I don't think that is the case. Otherwise, there would be more sense of urgency. I do not feel that here.", Loewe said, shaking his head at McBurn's doubt. It was then they heard the Grandmaster speak for the first time.
"On that mark, you would be correct. I welcome you both, Blazing Demon, Bladelord, to the Celestial Globe. Your timing is opportune as well, Blazing Demon. It looks like the fruits of His Highness bore well. You've become much stronger.", Grandmaster said, welcoming them.
"It is an honor for you to grace us with your presence, Grandmaster.", Loewe said, keeping his tone polite.
"Indeed it was, Grandmaster. So what's the itinerary for today? I take it that an event is about to occur. His Highness didn't create another one of those 'Instance Dungeon' thingies for us, did he?", McBurn asked.
At this time, one of the seven pillars lit up once more, revealing the voice of an aged man who spoke out with a laugh. It was the sixth pillar in line.
"Hoho, as much as I wish that were the case here today, sadly, it is not. I really do want to pry open that young prince's head and explore all that ripe knowledge.", The sixth pillar spoke, letting out a weird laugh. Hearing this, McBurn's eyes turned serious.
"Oh yeah? Over my dead body. I'm indebted to His Highness now. And until I pay off that debt, consider his enemies mine. You'll have to go through me first. And my new flames are itchin' for a fight.", McBurn said, letting his blue flames gush out from one of his hands again.
"I'd...rather not.", The sixth pillar spoke, realizing McBurn's intent. He was serious here, and he'd rather not make an enemy out of him. "But that's beside the point why we brought you two here. We have some results forged from the Divergent Laws themselves. If I wasn't already absorbed in my Gordias-class research, I would have loved to witness this in person.", The sixth pillar continued to speak, causing McBurn to cease his flames.
"Indeed. It is not like this is the first time we were graced by the Grandmaster. After all, she has graced me with this staff of mine.", The third pillar spoke out, belonging to that of a man. This pillar was special, he was at the forefront of the Gospel Plan. The Faceless!
"So you've had some free time on your hands, Faceless. You quickly turned around and tucked a tail between your legs after that excursion of ours, did you not?", The second pillar said this time, revealing that of a woman's voice. Hearing this voice, Campanella spoke out with a teasing voice.
"My oh my, and here I thought that Grandmother of yours was still scolding you, Azure Abyss. Did you manage to break free from that?", Campanella said, teasing the second pillar.
"I have no comment to say at this time.", The second pillar simply replied, keeping her remark short.
"Tch, coming here really was a waste of time.", The third pillar spoke out again, appearing annoyed.
"Haha, but that does mean you are on OUR side, does it not, Azure Abyss?", Campanella said, looking back at the second pillar.
"Oh it may be like that for now, Fool, but you don't know how much I want to punch that face of yours, you never-ending freak.", The second pillar retorted.
"Hahaha!", Campanella replied, letting out a playful laugh. It was then a different pillar lit up. This time, it was the seventh pillar. This voice belonged to that of a much more graceful, yet imposing voice of a woman.
"Let us keep focused on the task at hand. Do not forget we are all in the presence of the Grandmaster.", The seventh pillar said, trying to move things along. On top of that, it revealed a shadowy figure of a beautiful woman. Adding to her words, the fourth pillar lit up.
"Haha, what's wrong with letting the young'uns duke it out a little? I'd love to see a fight between our newest member against the Fool. I can already feel the tension~", The fourth pillar spoke out, appearing to belong to a rather scruffy voice. His figure had quite a crazy amount of hair. It was extremely unkempt.
"It isn't all about fighting, Oathbreaker. If it's going to happen, do so on your own time. We're following a schedule here.", The first pillar lit up, appearing to belong to that of an aged voice, and appeared very polite compared to the rest.
"I guess that makes me the last one then?", The last and final pillar spoke out for the first time. The fifth pillar. It also revealed a middle-aged man of sorts. It was then the bickering calmed down. Now that all seven pillars were lit up, the Grandmaster continued to speak.
"Indeed. I thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this meeting. Similar to the Blazing Demon's closed meditation, I too have finished with what I have been busy with for this last period of time. It is as the sixth pillar said. Today's topic is the Divergent Laws. Blazing Demon. Bladelord. Please have a look before you.", The Grandmaster said.
All of a sudden, space began to distort in front of the two Enforcers. Three separate rifts tore into space right before them. This immediately attracted everyone's attention. Powerful auras started getting released one after another.
"The hell?", McBurn cursed, seeing three items appear. The cracks only lasted a brief moment before they vanished. These three objects came into existence seemingly out of nowhere. They slowly floated downward, landing in front of McBurn and Loewe.
One was a large blade. The black demon sword, Angbar. It constantly released menacing dark flames that could scorch anything in its path. It suited McBurn quite well.
The second one was also a blade, but more intricate in design. It was gold and bronze. It looked equally powerful to the large blade Angbar. Its name, Kernviter. It is said to have the ability to cut through anything no matter what it was.
And then...the third weapon is a pitch-black bow, almost as if it came straight out of the abyss. It had obsidian-like scales. And it constantly had blue and red auras swirling around it. It is called Verbrannteis. It is said it can freeze a person's soul to the point of shattering it into pieces, causing true death.
"This is...", Loewe also uttered, acting as if he had immediately felt a connection with the gold and bronze sword still hovering before him.
"Indeed. What you see before you is why I have been quiet until now. Blazing Demon, the Demon Blade is called Angbar. Bladelord, the Demonic Sword is called Kernviter. I hope these weapons serve you well in the coming future. The Gospel Plan is now underway, I am sure you will face challenging opponents when the time comes.", The Grandmaster said, explaining the weapons before them.
"Now you're speakin' my language. I appreciate the sentiment, Grandmaster.", McBurn said, and immediately went to grab Angbar. The moment the two made contact, intense black and blue flames suddenly spread out around him. Wooosh!
The surrounding atmosphere intensified several fold. It was as if they were now under the direct sun!
And yet, Loewe seemed to not mind the intense heat. His gaze still landed on the sword before him. He grabbed it. Moving it around gracefully, Loewe swung Kernviter around for a few swings, before placing it directly on his back. It was as if he had already connected with the sword.
"Thank you for your generosity, Grandmaster.", Loewe said, keeping his tone polite. He didn't think he'd be on the receiving end today, let alone receiving a new sword to call his own! He was extremely grateful to the Grandmaster. After all, this is the very same sword Loewe would use when he clashes against Agate Crosner and Joshua Bright in the Sky games.
"I take it that our actions were enough to get rewarded. I like that. Didn't think I'd receive a second bonus after clearing that Instance Dungeon of His Highness. I can't help but wonder, though. There's three weapons here, while there are only two of us. I highly doubt the last one is for the Fool.", McBurn said, looking at the pitch-black bow.
"I am also curious as to why there's a bow here.", Loewe also said, nodding his head in agreement.
"The third weapon is called Verbrannteis. It is not for either of you, or it is the Fool's reward. It is hereby to be presented to Liberl's Crown Prince. Consider this a payment for the benefits you all have received. You, unfortunately, were too late to receive any benefits, Bladelord. Perhaps in the future, you will collaborate with His Highness. A decision has been reached, but he still has not accepted to join us. I am doubtful it will happen due to his present circumstances, but with this, the door remains open.", the Grandmaster said, explaining the situation to them.
"So this bow really is for His Highness.", Campanella said, smiling.
"Oh?", McBurn responded, gaining interest in what the Grandmaster said.
"To which brings me to my next point. Blazing Demon, you shall venture into Liberl and deliver this weapon to His Highness. There is not a time limit per se, but it is best to do so before the Gospel Plan comes to fruition.", The Grandmaster said.
"Man, that sounds such a pain, but I got it. I'll deliver it for ya.", McBurn said, and grabbed onto the bow. For some reason, it felt cold and hot at the same time. It was a pretty weird sensation.
With that said, their business was now concluded. The pillars of the Anguis began to fade out one by one. Only the second one remained lit.
"So you really are a part of this, Naoto...", The second pillar uttered to herself. For some reason, the voice sounded very familiar!