"Oh, alright I suppose. It looks like I was a bit too worried for nothing. There's still some time to spare.", Phillip said.
"Excellent. In fact, once lunchtime is over, I will personally drive you back to the capital. You do not need to worry about missing your flight. Consider it a repayment for all you've done for my son.", Giliath said, revealing a rare smile of his own.
Guess that's one more for lunch, eh?
It was then a couple other figures from the group who watched us emerged, and quickly made our way here.
One of them was a black-haired boy who was a year younger than me. I had recently turned six, so that meant this boy was now five years old. Sparkles were currently in his eyes. Like literal stars of excitement. After him came a silver-haired girl who was around the same age as me. A couple months older but born the same year. Beside them, there were a couple more figures.
"Twas a splendid duel, if I do say so myself. You've grown quite a bit, Naoto.", A familiar voice called out to me. Who else could it be but Prince Olivert? He wasn't alone either. Two smaller heads popped out beside him. It was none other than Princess Alfin and Prince Cedric. It has been three or so years since the twins were born. And like Elie, these two have also come over for playdates. And for whatever reason, Princess Alfin has already started addressing me as 'Big Brother'.
"Yeah! That was really cool, Big Brother!", Princess Alfin happily said, remaining near Prince Olivert's side.
"...", Prince Cedric didn't say anything, he just stared at us, still looking at the blade beside me. Phillip has already returned his, so I decided to return mine toward my sheath. Prince Cedric rarely spoke. It was always Princess Alfin who was the chatterbox.
"Hey, that's my line.", Another voice called out. This voice belonged to a black-haired boy. Sparkles appeared in his eyes. Like, literal stars. Next to him appeared a silver-haired girl who was a year older. My age. The black-haired boy was a year younger than me. He was my little brother of course, Rean. The girl was Elie MacDowell.
It's another weekend in February and everyone's schedules aligned. And unfortunately, this might be one of the last chances we all might get to do this. The banner of war was on the horizon, so I'm surprised that they even allowed the Imperial Family to come here during such uncertainty. I mean, it is only a single town away. Maybe that's why Father is dressed so seriously? Anyway, I saw worry in Elie's eyes as she spoke to me.
"Does your arm hurt, Naoto?", Elie asked. She saw the sword get knocked out of my hand a moment ago. "The duel happened so quickly, but I can see that you're getting stronger.", Elie continued to say, revealing a smile.
"Heh, thank you. It's nothing a pain reliever or two can't fix. Or I might just let it heal naturally. There wasn't any blood drawn, thankfully. It just mostly feels numb.", I said, showing my floppy arm around. Seeing me do this earned a round of laughter from everyone.
And it wasn't just them either. Another figure popped out. It was another girl who was around Rean's age. A year younger than me. She had plum-colored hair. She also watched on, worried. Unlike the rest, this is another girl I was thankful to get a chance to know over these last couple years. I first met her when I had enough time to head to Master's village. Eryn Village.
This girl is Emma Millstein, granddaughter of Roselia Millstein, the Crimson Roselia. Well, not her true-and-true granddaughter. More in name only, if you know the Crimson Roseila's origins and all. Nonetheless, I have gotten to know Emma over these couple of years. Just like with the Imperial Family and Elie, we have grown rather close through these playdates. You guessed it right. These would be my so-called, 'childhood friends', haha!
And wouldn't it be a surprise that I actually have more than one childhood friend. Typically in fantasy stories that I've come across in my past life, you only wind up with one, or two at most. In this case, it's twice that. I do not know if I consider Prince Cedric in that category, knowing what he becomes and all. But I'm taking his role in this new life of mine. Becoming Testa-Rossa's pilot in the future. He will not have to deal with that burden, so who knows? Prince Cedric might actually live out like a normal person would and not get controlled by that nasty Duke. I'm sure that Duke will still attempt to try something though. It's not like I can cut out an entire civil war from happening you know? Just like the Hundred Days War that will start in a couple months. Even if I march into the capital and say the cause, would they trust the word's of a sole person? The short answer, no they won't. There are some things you simply can't change.
Now I could go knocking at the noble's doorsteps instead who caused the Hamel Incident which sparked the Hundred Days War into existence and take them out. Now that's an option, yes. But will I do that? Also no. I know the story. I know key plot points. And the Hundred Days War has an impact on a lot of characters here in the Trailsverse. I need to use this war to go into hiding so I can get in touch with other characters.
It's truly a shame this will be one of the last chances for all of us to hang out like this. I'm sure Giliath will escort both Phillip and the Imperial Family back to the capital. This is quite the group, isn't it?
First, you have Rean, my younger brother and main protagonist of Cold Steel's story. He's continuing to grow just as I am, and is already starting to show interest in learning the way of the sword, just like his older brother, haha! Unlike me who is now learning under the Sword Fox, Rean will join a school that's called the Eight Leaves One Blade School, the very same school that Cassius Bright joined so long ago. This will happen in the coming years.
Then you have Elie MacDowell. Both Granddaughter of the new Mayor of Crossbell City, and one of the future leading figures of the SSS. Just like with Emma, we've grown quite close. She had more time to spare compared to the Imperial Family and Emma, so out of everyone, Elie is actually the one I'm the closest with.
Then you have the Imperial Family. Once the Hundred Days War officially begins, Prince Olivert will likely hole himself up inside Thors while the twins remain in Valflame Palace under strict protection. Giliath Osborne, my Father, will also likely remain inside the capital, and work alongside other members of the Imperial Armored Divisions. There's different groups and all inside the Imperial Army, but Erebonia is most well-known for its cavalry. Or in this instance, its tanks. Liberl is known for its airships, and even goes beyond that by producing the fastest orbal airship with it's current technology in the future, which goes by the name Arseille.
There's Phillip next. The Sword Fox, and my sword instructor over these last couple years. I have gotten used to battling with Glistening Moonlight now, all thanks to him. Father will escort him back to the capital after lunch, but at the same time, he will likely do so for the Imperial Family. I'm sure Mueller is lurking around here somewhere, but wasn't within our current group. Along with him, I'm sure those secret service members are lurking around too. Wherever royalty goes, they always follow whether you like it or not. I'm sure in due time, I'll have my own too!
Then you have Kasia, my Mother. To be honest, she's been on my mind for quite some time. Along with the Hundred Days War, she passes away. Our villa is soon to be raided by Jaegers and all, and she is the one to succumb to that. Giliath and Rean make it out, but not her. Now that I'm here, should I save Kasia? If I do, I am not sure how much that will change. I've already started to see some changes with my existence alone. The group you currently see here isn't supposed to happen at all.
Prince Olivert shouldn't meet Rean this early. He shouldn't meet Elie this early. He shouldn't meet Emma this early. But, he has. Thanks to the suggestion of having play dates. THis will likely cause some implications once their own stories start to unfold in a decade's time or so. I'm just not sure how much. So that begs the question, will saving Kasia change anything?
My Master, Roselia, does know some forbidden incantations to save a person's soul from truly dying, and I'm currently leaning toward that. She has some more incantations that allow a soul to plop into a container to be held for prolonged periods of time. Very similar to the Homunculi tech created by the Gnomes and the Crois Family.
There is one thing I need to let happen still, and that is the attack itself. This is another major point for Giliath to have him submit to Ishmelga, so he can become the Ebon Knight. I will not stop that. But instead, I can save Kasia's soul, and potentially use it to be reborn at a later date, just like how Millium and Altina came into existence!
But yeah, that's been on my mind. The decision to make that happen is coming up quite soon. For now, I could only shake it off my mind as I looked back toward Emma. I saw worry in her eyes still.
"Shall I cast a healing spell on you, Naoto?", Emma asked, still worried. Before I could even answer, Rean spoke out.
"You know Magic isn't real Emma. Brother is fine. We have some medicine back in the house!", Rean quickly said. All Emma did to that was smile in response, which earned another round of laughter from all of us.
"Haha! Thank you for worrying Emma, but I'm fine, really. Instead, it's rare for all of us to be around like this. How about we take a commemorative photo for the family album?", I suggested to everyone. Even Phillip. Princess Alfin's eyes immediately lit up at the thought.