"I just got my answer. It will be a while before we can challenge the rest of it. It is as Father said. This is just a prelude of what is to come. I do not know when this will happen. It could be years for all I know.", I said to everyone. That was a fact. I had to get stronger. Enough to where I reach Level 100 on my own. That is going to be a journey of itself.
"Is that right? Well if, or when the time comes, I'm sure---?", Ein tried to say to me. She couldn't even finish her sentence before we heard a rushed voice call out to us.
"Hey! While the events surrounding Valflame Palace and Dreichel's Plaza have concluded, we are still restricting this area to ensure safe passage!", One of the Imperial Guards yelled out, not realizing the fighting that just took place. I wouldn't blame them. It's not like they could see it anyway. That was the beauty of Instance Dungeons. It creates a special space for you and your Party alone, not disturbing the real world in the slightest. Only those who go into it will know what happens. So it makes sense as to why the guards are behaving like this.
Sadly for the Imperial Guards, they were quick to notice I was donned in my Phoenix Robe, and quickly spotted the emblem of the Phoenix etched on my robe. It wasn't anything fancy. House Cayenne hosts a Seahorse. House Albarea hosts a Pegasus. House Hyarms hosts a Bull, and House Hyarms hosts a Black Lion. The seahorse was situated in the center, the Pegasus situated on both sides, the Bull situated on both sides, and same for the Black Lion. Mine was different, however. It had a fiery bird on the very top with its wings spread out over each end, like it was soaring into the skies.
"Wait a minute, I recognize this crest. Isn't this the child who just earned the rank of a Duke by His Imperial Majesty earlier in the day? What in Aidios's name are you doing out here all of a sudden with this group of people---?", The Imperial Guard asked, but couldn't finish speaking before
"What in blazes is this thing!?", Another Imperial Guard exclaimed, seeing the weird magic circle now seen at the foot of the statue. Turns out everyone can see it, eh? It isn't just me or those who were in my Party. Will this cause some problems? It might make the news, but I'm not sure. Thankfully, I didn't have to answer that, as someone else just did. We all heard an imposing voice reach our ears. Someone who I was very familiar with.
"You needn't worry about this. Return to your posts at once.", The imposing voice said, causing us to shift our eyes beyond the palace bridge. It didn't take long to see Father strutting toward us, acting like he owns the place.
""G-General Osborne!"", The guards exclaimed in unison, only to give Father a salute. THey did what they were told. Gotta love being extremely high up in the military. To them, they were foot soldiers. They couldn't bark against their orders, especially if it came from a General. They simply turned silent, and returned to the barricades that were still blocking off Dreichel's Plaza.
Seeing the Imperial Guard now gone, Giliath observed the new magic circle that remained active in silence for a moment, before he shifted his eyes back to me.
"I take it that it is done? It merely lasted an instant from our perspective.", Giliath asked, greeting us. I found that surprising. It did stop the flow of time within. It felt like a couple hours had passed while inside it thanks to my internal clock, but it turns out not a lot of time had passed back inside the real world! Pretty shocking if you ask me.
Still, I happily nodded my head.
"Yes, Father. What you see is the new entry point to the Proving Grounds. It will remain inactive until the destined time.", I answered, nodding my head.
"Good job, my son. This Trial will be rightfully yours to take, in due time. For now, we can only wait. Grow stronger. I am glad you were triumphant.", Giliath said, approaching me. He gave me a rare pat on the head, causing me to smile. I mean yes, it's weird for someone like Giliath to do this. Considering he's one of the biggest villains in Trails and all. But that time hasn't come yet. Right now, he's merely a soldier of the Imperial Army, and my Father. Nothing more, nothing less. If there are familial bonds to be shared, I will gladly accept them.
"Haha!", I replied, simply laughing.
"Such a heartwarming scene. You're raising your son well, General.", Prince Olivert said, smirking.
"I am not worthy of such praise, Your Highness. It is good to see you all and well. I take it everyone has gained something from this Trial? I can see changes in each one's eyes. As subtle as it might be.", Giliath said, smiling now.
"You're as keen as ever, General. Indeed. We have all received something from it. It looks like we are all indebted to you, Your Highness. If you ever find yourself struggling, do not hesitate to call upon the Septian Church. If it's within our rules, I will gladly assist.", Ein said, doing a formal notion. Even I was surprised by that, but they did all learn new Skills from this. That was another specialty of the Gamer System. Not only could it reward me with various benefits, those in my Party can also benefit from it. Just like every person here receiving a new Craft!
I didn't get one, but I got a bunch of Stats and Experience instead of that, and some items to boot. It's give and take. I'm curious to see what these Crafts will do in the future. If I do come across these people again. Roselia is one matter, but it might be hard for me to find Ein after this. After all, she'll likely reside in the Holy City of Arteria, looking over the Gralsritter. Prince Olivert and Mueller will likely remain here in Valflame Palace. I'm sure I'll see the two from time to time, especially if I start those play dates with the twins. As for Aurelia, she will likely return to Thors and finish out her studies before she returns to her estate, or join the Imperial Army. She did rise the ranks of a soldier, and actively served it for a while.
But for now, this is a wrap on the Vermillion Trials Quest. I did see its Quest Log update, showing the first mission now complete. The second mission was still locked, and only revealed the Level requirement. It didn't even show me what rewards I could get from it yet, so only time will tell for that. I need to grow stronger, as Father said.
All we could do was resume our lives.
Seeing as we had no more business in Dreichel's Plaza, Giliath allowed us to return inside the Palace, to which we promptly delivered the results to His Imperial Majesty. He became relieved seeing nothing further happen. Yet, at the same time, the thought of Divine Knights slowly resurging again remained in his thoughts. It is as His Imperial Majesty stated earlier, where Divine Knights appear, turmoil soon follows. This likely is one of the preludes that will lead to an event that is called the Great Twilight. An event that even Father will sacrifice his role as being our father and become the Ebon Knight to see its fruition. I can only assume this for now, as I do not know if this is actually the case.
The rest of the night passed rather uneventfully while we resided in Valflame Palace. The rest of Sunday came and went under the glistening moon and starry sky. Morning came before I realized it. This week was already jam-packed, but now a new week has begun. People were going out and about to set up their shops for the week inside the capital.
His Imperial Majesty allowed everyone, including Father and I, and those who resided in my Party, to stay the night in the many guest rooms of Valflame Palace. Ein woke up quite early, and was the first to depart. She departed on her Merkabah. I'm quite jealous that each member of the Dominion gets access to one of these personal aircrafts. Since it came down to retrieve Ein, I saw Kevin, Ries, and Rufina once more, to which they all officially bid us farewell. It was nice to meet them like this.
With that crossed off the list, I have now met three of the Trails protagonists. Don't be surprised, but with how vast the story is, there are multiple protagonists!
Estelle and Joshua were the first. Kevin Graham followed them and had his own story to complete in Sky the 3rd. After that came two games, to which I have not yet met, but he goes by the name of Lloyd Bannings, and is a police cop in charge of looking after a division called the Special Support Section. Now one of them, I have met. One of its individuals anyway, who will also join me on some future play dates. Elie MacDowell. Then you have Rean Schwarzer. Well, the Schwarzer part hasn't happened yet considering it's S1189 right now, but he is nonetheless a main character. Then you have the newest main character of the game I unfortunately could not play before I came to Zemuria. A man who goes by the name, Van Arkride. Unlike the rest, he is the oldest protagonist of the bunch. And honestly, I do not know where he currently is right now. If we happen to come across each other at some point, then it is fate.