Some time had passed since Roselia retold the store of the Dark Dragon, Zoro-Agruga, and how ir rampaged across the era, to which it received, the Dark Ages. She also described how the Great One came into being, and the existence of the Sept-Terrions. She even told us about the legend of the Divine Knights. As that happened, the slick, silvery-white orbal car zoomed across the Districts, from Leica, and eventually reached the heart of Heimdallr, Dreichel's Plaza.
A couple hours have passed. I was hoping for a more prompt lunch, but it looks like it will be an early dinner at this rate. Not that I mind. I'm sure both Sherryl and I are very hungry at this point. We spent some time at the Vander Dojo. I'm guessing the rest are hungry as well. Looking out the window, I could see dark-gray clouds beginning to gather high up in the sky. How melancholic. It was around 3PM now.
Thinking of how to set Testa-Rossa free, it was true that I didn't have to touch Zoro-Agruga at all. Zoro-Agruga's role is to forge a sword that is called the Sword of the End, and become the trigger to start the Great Twilight after being slayed by a Divine Knight, aka Rean. In reality, Zoro-Agruga becomes the Nameless One, who was once the Holy Beast of Earth, guardian over the Sept-Terrion of Earth. If you happen to do the secret side quests, you actually get to meet the Nameless One after the Gral's events are over, sever the curse from him, and see his reveal as Argres! That's the key condition to unlock Cold Steel IV's true ending. It isn't hard to reach this either. If you don't do it the first time around, you'll experience the normal ending, then the game will tell you now to do the true ending after.
It's one, if not the only game in the entire series to have more than one ending. And get this, it's actually plot-driven. The normal ending eventually gives birth to a creation called Ishmelga-Rean, and he becomes one of the villains In Reverie. But that will be a story for another time. My point is, the Dark Dragon will have little say in the matter as far as Testa-Rossa goes. He can enjoy slumbering in his nest, which Rean and Class VII will eventually head into during the events of Cold Steel III. For me, I can give rise to the Infernal Castle without any setbacks.
As for the Great Twilight, triggering it was what the Phantasmal Blaze Plan was at its core. To awaken the Phantasm in Crossbell and awaken the Blaze in Erebonia. Hence the name, Phantasmal Blaze Plan.
And besides, if I wound up encountering the Dark Dragon anyway, it is likely nothing will happen. I don't have what it takes to trigger the Great Twilight. But if the Great One found a loophole, or found another source to trigger the Great Twilight, well I wouldn't want that to happen. I am presently aligned with Ouroboros as the unofficial Enforcer No. IV. I am not sure who I will fight alongside once Operation Jormungandr begins. Will I align myself with Operation Mille Mirage? Or will my Western Zemuria Unification Plan be realized by then? Who knows how that will play out. It's still in the beginning phase. Joining hand-in-hand through the power of love, haha!
Instead, I find my position similar to the Steel Maiden, or Lianne Sandlot, once the leader of the Eisenritter who stood beside Emperor Dreichels during the War of the Lions. The Steel Maiden actively pilots Argreion, another Divine Knight like Testa-Rossa. She rarely flaunted that power and many don't even know she even has it. Not until the events of Cold Steel begin to unravel. But compared to me, the Steel Maiden are what are called Immortals. I have touched upon this particular subject before, but here in Zemuria, there are many fantasy-like elements that didn't exist in my previous life on Earth.
Many otherworldly concepts are actually real here in Zemuria. Reincarnation. Transmigration, Immortality, and so on. There are even beings that can alter causality directly, change the flow and ebb of time, or wish anything into existence. Amongst other treasures, those are the powers of the Sept-Terrions. Until Reverie, we don't know the location of the Sept-Terrion of Time, and I have an inkling that the Daybreak games are the ones that cover that particular treasure.
One such instance of these concepts is none other than my Father. He is the reincarnation of Emperor Dreichels. You don't get a revelation of this until the very end. Since then, I am technically of Emperor Dreichel's blood. Maybe that's why Testa-Rossa reacted so strongly to me? I have my doubts. I mean House Phoenix is also connected, but the blood is quite thin. I may need to look into this more.
In the case of the Steel Maiden, she should have passed away during the War of the Lions. And yet, on her dying breath, Roselia here guided her to become the pilot of Argreion. Instead of passing away, the Steel Maiden overcame that fate, only to get bound by a worse one, and is now part of Erebonia's Curse. In that aspect, I will be too, but unlike her, I do not plan on dying anytime soon. Even if Testa-Rossa fades away with the rest of the Divine Knights, you do not need to kill someone to finish a Rivalry. In Prince Cedric's case, all you do is make him pass out once you're aboard the Empyreal Fortress.
And well, with me not planning to become an Immortal, I, in particular, have the assistance of the Gamer System! Just that alone, in my opinion, makes my existence akin to that of an Immortal, even though I can still die. I can continuously grow stronger and stronger by leveling up. I just don't know if the Level Cap is 250 here, or if I can push beyond my limits and go past LV250. At the very least, I'll have some scapegoat, even if I get bound by Erebonia's Curse for becoming Testa-Rossa's pilot.
There's a lot to consider in the coming three to four years where Cold Steel kicks off. And well, while it is best to prepare for what is to come, I have something that is happening sooner. I live in Liberl. And well guess what happens to Liberl in the next two years? The Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon, and the rise of the Liber Ark! I'll get to watch all of that play out and help out here and there where I deem it necessary while studying at Jenis Royal Academy.
Knowing all of this, it made the ride to Dreichel's Plaza a smooth ride. Roselia had finished her tale, and just like that, a couple hours passed by in a blink of an eye. The dark-gray clouds that gathered around in the sky have begun to spit out snowflakes, slowly falling down one after another. A tiny layer of snow started to accumulate on the paved roads and sidewalks around us. Due to the sudden snowfall, the people going out and about and selling their goods through their stalls began to close up shop early, and then dispersed.
Thankfully, Dreichel's Plaza was still blocked off to the general public. The stall owners had set up shop around the active blockade before vanishing for the day. The dance celebrated with the Imperial Family was just last night. The stationed RMP Officers soon saw the orbal car drive up to the barricade. Realizing who it was who sat inside after seeing Princess Alfin, they became excited. They also saw Claire in the driver's seat, and saluted them. It wasn't just them either. The Imperial Chronicle's building just so happened to be nearby and there were a couple of reporters out and about nearby. They suddenly began to flash us with their orbal cameras. Not that I mind. I've gotten used to that by now.
During this, Prince Cedric calmed down after the shock and revelation he heard from Roselia. He was now in his usual demeanor. I'm sure it was a lot to take in. Not just for Prince Cedric, but also Princess Alfin. Most of this is tucked away in what are called Black Records, a set of restricted documents that only few have access to. Not just anyone can learn the full picture. As a person playing the games, these Black Records become a collectable item that you can obtain, and then you'll eventually get it decoded, allowing you to read the entire Black Records. And while we're on that subject, I have the Black Records EX I still have tucked away in my Inventory, courtesy of my late mother. This likely ties in House Phoenix, and I should probably read it at some point in time. Perhaps once I'm done training here in Erebonia.
Thinking that, I saw Claire salute back. Before long, the barricade opened, allowing our orbal car to pass through. Ignoring the cold air, Prince Cedric had another gaze toward the statue of Emperor Dreichels. He then saw the fancy yet inactive magic circle that connected to the Vermillion Trials Proving Grounds. It showed absolutely zero sign of life, so we paid it no attention. I'm sure the people around Heimdallr have gotten used to such a sight already and no longer question it.
We soon drove around Dreichel's Plaza, and reached the other end where the grandiose Valflame Palace stood. No matter how many times I look at this castle, it is always imposing to look at. It has stood for many centuries. After the Dark Dragon destroyed the capital, Valflame Palace was erected. It has definitely stood against the flow of time, and still shows zero sign of age.
Prince Cedric couldn't help but look at Roselia as we approached Valflame Palace.
"This really is a lot to take in after the information you gave us. Your current appearance is quite deceiving. It is also surprising to know that Magic is real. But now that I think about it. Regarding you in particular...wouldn't that make you an old hag---?", Prince Cedric tried to ask. And yet the moment he did, the surrounding air around us suddenly chilled.
"Not. Another. Word. Boy.", Roselia coldly said. It was rare, but for a brief moment, her eyes turned into two cat-like eyes. A little bit of her true power leaked out, causing the hairs on Prince Cedric's back to stand on end. "I do not mind sending you on a one way ticket to Gehenna right here and now."
"P-Point taken...", Prince Cedric replied as he gulped some saliva down his throat. He closed his mouth, not wanting to speak another word. Otherwise, he may see his life forfeited, haha!
All jokes aside, if someone like Roselia meant it, then she meant it. He could likely even obliterate all of Heimdallr if she really wanted to as the Burning Sphinx. Thankfully, the only time you get to see this side of Roselia is in the latter half of Cold Steel when Rean challenges the shrines. Thankfully Roselia was here with us, and since I'm her disciple, I'll make sure she won't stray far. I'm still...uncertain whether Roselia should enter the harem. I mean, her Favorability is already maxed, but at the end of the day she is an iteration of the Burning Sphinx. Sure she has a human form, and we could even go as far as to experience the pleasure. But can someone like Roselia even bear children?
I have my doubts. Roselia isn't like Vita or Emma. So yeah, I'm not sure whether Roselia should enter the harem right now. Only time will tell. As for the next person who may join it, it may in fact be Sara Valestein. Sara's Blessing appeared so suddenly and I didn't think she would feel that way about me. I'll need to seek her out later to confirm them. I'm not against Sara becoming the third member of the Royal Harem.
Roselia, on the other hand, is the only person I can confide who I truly am. A Reincarnator, that is. Someone not from this land. In that way, Roselia holds a special place in my heart that cannot easily be wiped away. I do not regret telling Roselia about this, nor letting her see my memories of the future storyline, and see whether all of that will come true or not. Before long, I will use Vermillion Eyes to start observing the plot in Daybreak and onward. I doubt the games just end with one game with how big the Republic of Calvard is.
Roselia saw that I was currently looking at her, and decided to ask me a question.
"Say Naoto, I am mostly here to teach you and Emma that Incantation. Otherwise, you are free for the most part, yes? The thunder brat said you didn't have to come back after you finish your business there until next week. Do you have any plans for the week?", Roselia asked.
"Oh, there was that, wasn't there? I mean, we do have an entire week before I have to return to St. Astraia for our next term too.", Princess Alfin added. "I really want to show you around Heimdallr, just like how you did for me in Liberl. Return the favor~"
"Haha.", I laughed. "I do not see that being a problem, but just keep in mind I will be unavailable for a day or two. After the business today concludes at the dojo and we all share a meal, I will be taking it easy. I will inquire about purchasing some tickets for a flight to Crossbell City first thing in the morning. I have some unfinished business there."
As much as I wanted to test out Teleportation again, there's the charm of travelling by air, so I opted for the latter. I could take a train, considering this is Erebonia and all, but let's go with an airship for now.
"Crossbell huh?", Princess Alfin asked, only to look at Sherryl. "Is it for Sherryl, by chance?'
"Pretty much. You knew what happened. Unlike others, Sherryl still has family, and now they're living there. It's about time we pay them a visit.", I declared.
"Jillian...", Sherryl said, murmuring a name. Interesting, is that the name of her sister?