The Armored Knight, who the boy's voice called Arianrhod, didn't seem to be bothered one bit by this sudden name drop. The Knight was indeed a woman. One who often hid her face away inside that helmet of hers. She rarely removed it, unless she deemed her opponent worthy enough to see her face. You'd get to see this when the SSS fights Arianrhod atop one of the towers during Azure. The fight with her consisted of two phases, and by doing enough damage to Arianrhod, her helmet would actually crumble away from the damage, revealing her face to the party. But right now, she simply hid away beneath that helmet.
In fact, Arianrhod actually let out a rare chuckle hearing the boy's voice speak through the silver fox's open mouth.
"Well, you definitely have strong pronunciation when you declare your intent. You really are His son.", Arianrhod said, retorting the voice. As to who this voice belonged to, it was none other than Naoto of course. Despite being whisked away by the Red Constellation, he can still peruse the events on the outside world thanks to his newfound Familiar, the silver fox Tamamo. Not only can he share his sight with Tamamo, he can even speak to others through her. Such a nifty ability, isn't it? By doing this, Naoto doesn't feel left out!
Naoto knew the next big event to take place wasn't the Hundred Days War. It was the prelude to the Hundred Days War. The Jaeger attack on Hamel. Since he knew this, after ensuring that Naoto's father, Giliath Osborne, began his path as the Ebon Knight, he used these couple of days, guiding Tamamo from the northern reaches of Erebonia all the way down south. It was quite the long trip, but unlike Naoto, Tamamo was rather nimble. She constantly fed on Naoto's Mana during the traveling, and she found her way here at Hamel in a mere couple days.
Naoto wanted to check on Hamel before it got razed to the ground. The unspoken tragedy that is set to take place within this next week. A whole village wiped off the face of the map to instigate a war between two formidable countries, all for the sake of personal gain. Naoto did not think he would not find not one, but two Anguis here. One, which was the Faceless, while the other is the Armored Knight here, a woman named Arianrhod. He didn't know whether the Faceless was part of Ouroboros, but by the time the Septian Church even finds a trail of what the Faceless wants to achieve, it would be too late. His excommunication from the Septian Church shouldn't take place until S1195, so he is likely working two sides of the coin right now. Right underneath their noses.
In just a couple days from now, Hamel will no longer exist. Still, Naoto laughed hearing Arianrhod speak to him.
"Haha, I think I know who it is that you are referring to. It is unfortunate to say, but I will sadly no longer be able to spend my days with him.", Naoto said, revealing a hint of sadness in his tone. I mean, I knew what transpired a couple days ago. I had participated in the Osborne Villa raid myself. We cut off our ties from one another. Father has his own path to follow now, just like I do. And so does Rean. From here on, he's Rean Schwarzer!
Arianrhod raised her eyebrows inside her helmet. To my surprise, I actually saw her two hands reach toward it. With a clunk-like noise, the helmet actually came off, revealing her lush, golden-blonde hair. What stood in front of me was an ethereal beauty. Her hair was long and wavy, and fell down way past her hips. Together with her blue crystal eyes, she was by far one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Even Aurelia pales in comparison to Arianrhod's beauty. She was both out of place, and out of time. Once upon a time, Arianrhod was called The Valkyrie, but now, she addresses herself as the Steel Maiden.
I did not expect Arianrhod to take her helmet off all the way out here on the outskirts of Hamel. Does that mean she recognizes me as an individual? She seldom took it off, even outside of battle.
"To what do I owe the honor of you taking off your helmet?", I asked.
"To the bleak future. The flames of war will soon be smoldering, and it cannot be stopped.", Arianrhod declared. She glanced at the silver fox. However, at this time, she suddenly heard a lazy voice call out to her.
"Now isn't this something. I did not take you to be one who likes animals, Steel Maiden.", The lazy voice said. Once that was said, a fiery red circle suddenly appeared on a tree branch near the very tall pine tree Arianrhod was currently standing on. For some reason, it felt neither hot, nor cold. It didn't even ignite the thick tree branch on fire. After it appeared, a sole figure soon emerged from it. It was a man with pale red eyes with colorful-looking hair. Moving his hand toward his mouth, he let out a big yawn, making his appearance even more lazy. Most of his hair was bright blue, but also had pink highlights in it. His hair was pretty spikey too. Long enough where it flowed down the side of his face. He even wore half-moon glasses, and wore a long shirt, which was also mostly red, and some jean-like pants that were black and blue.
"Is the scouting done?", Arianrhod asked the fiery blue-haired man. In response, he put his arms behind the back of his head.
"It's all done. Nothing interesting around these parts beside a formidable monster or two. That silver-haired guy shows a little bit of promise, though. I think the other kids called him Loewe?", The lazy man responded. Shortly after, we all heard a snap of a finger, following a different voice. This one seemed more playful.
"Haha, of course nothing would catch your interest here, McBurn. We are in the middle of nowhere right now. We are only here to act as observers, ensuring the Faceless acts according to plan.", The voice said. It was hard to discern whether this voice belonged to a man or a woman. Following that snap of a finger, a different magic circle appeared, which seemed to fade in and out of existence. Unlike the fiery-red one, this one was pure green. It was as if it was the wind itself. A second person arrived beside the fiery blue-haired man. One thing to say was they looked exceptionally young. And no matter how much time passes, this person would not seem to age a day. It was as if they were immortal. He had green hair with two strands of it that stuck out of his head, acting like antennae. Underneath his right eye was a tribe-like marking of sorts. Unlike the others, he actually wore a suit that was pink over a white-collared shirt.
A few moments ago, it was just Tamamo, and likewise, Naoto. I did not think I would encounter not one, not two, not three, but four members of Ouroboros here of all places. The Faceless was inside Hamel. The Seventh Anguis, Arianrhod is here beside me. And now, these two people who just arrived...
I couldn't help but shift my eyes toward these people. Or to be specific, Tamamo's eyes. Excluding the Faceless, three members of Ouroboros now stood before me.
"To think I would have the honor of meeting three members of Ouroboros. It is a pleasure to meet you all. It is a shame that I cannot meet you in person, but this will have to do.", I said, only to have everyone see Tamamo open her mouth once more and hear my voice speak out of it. The green-haired boy's eyes raised, acting like he had immediately assessed the situation before him. He then revealed a big smile on his face.
"So that is how this is playing out. I knew you wouldn't just stand here for no reason, Arianrhod.", The boy said. What the boy did next actually surprised me. He put one of his arms behind his back, and placed the other one forward, giving me a formal bow.
"I was not expecting to meet your acquaintance here, Your Highness. Although it is not the nicest of places, I still bid you a warm welcome. You may address me as Campanella the Fool. Enforcer No. 0 of Ouroboros.", The boy said, introducing himself to me. I knew it. This boy really is Campanella. He is by far the biggest oddity of all of Ouroboros. Other members show their intent rather clearly, but this person...he acts just like a jester at times, and as an observer for others. On top of that, Campanella has a direct line of communication with the Grandmaster of Ouroboros. He's the one behind the scenes who reports all things taking place to her. And you heard me right, the Grandmaster is a woman. I could only assume that very same otherworldly beauty who was beside the Steel Maiden on that auspicious day when the two came to our villa from afar.
"Thank you. Likewise, you have my regards, Campanella. Addressing me as 'Your Highness' is a bit too formal for my liking. Sounds like you've been lurking in the shadows for quite some time, eh? So, who does that make you then?", I decided to ask, turning toward the man beside him. I knew who all three of these people were, but I still went along with the introduction. It is only proper to do so, haha!
"Sigh...", The man said, letting out an annoyed voice, acting like some child who didn't want to be here. "Introductions are such a pain in the ass, but might as well get it over with. They call me the Blazing Demon. Enforcer No. 1. But most simply call me McBurn. It is a shame we can't meet the real you. You're quite young still, no?", McBurn responded with a question himself. He introduced himself as McBurn, Enforcer No. 1. Most think the Enforcer's number is ranked by strength with McBurn being the strongest of them all, and no doubt he is insanely strong. But they are all part of what are called Arcana. Each Enforcer holds a special role to fulfill. And in Daybreak, I believe they were going to introduce a couple more new Enforcers. Shame I couldn't play it!
"I am. I recently turned six. I myself won't debut into the nobles' High Society until a decade or so later. Like I said to Miss Arianrhod here a few moments ago, you will not be able to find me. Instead, I have come to meet you all in this form instead. What you see before you is my Familiar, Tamamo. Please treat her kindly alright? It hasn't been too long since she was created by Master.", I said, happily greeting everyone.
Normally, one would think Ouroboros is the main overarching group of villains in a fantasy story. The group who'd act behind the scene, and become responsible for all the painful events that take place in said story. Now while that still does happen and some Enforcers are actually evil like the Faceless here, some of them treat each other as real family. They aren't your typical evil organization. I don't see Ouroboros as evil. True evil beings are more along the lines of those like Ishmelga, the Ebon Knight, and so on.
Campanella nodded his head at my words.
"Thankfully, news of what happened to you a couple days ago have been kept under wraps. Only those of influence have come to learn what transpired that night. It is good that you took this time to approach us, Your Highness. We would have sought you out ourselves in the coming future, but I did not think you would do so on your own accord. With that being the case, I will say to you what has been passed down to me. The Grandmaster has formally requested you to join our cause. I am in her stead for you to join Ouroboros.", Campanella explained. I was surprised to hear that. The Grandmaster actually wants me to join Ouroboros?
"No shit?", McBurn responded, cursing out in surprise as well. His once-lazy look was replaced by genuine shock. I won't even question why they know my other identity. Ouroboros's information network is both extensive, and huge. Gathering information is a very easy task for them. Still, if I could reveal a smile here, I would. Through Tamamo, my voice laughed.
"Haha! To think the Grandmaster would invite a bastard son like me. To be honest, I am not against joining Ouroboros, you know? I have my own plans in motion. If our interests align and we don't interfere with each other, that is. I do not have to respond immediately, do I?", I decided to ask.
"You do not, Your Highness. The seat will remain available for you to claim it of your own accord. Seeing how this is playing out, it looks like you have your own circumstances you are currently handling.", Campanella said, looking at the silver fox. "With backing from royalty like you, our inner circle is bound to expand. The Grandmaster even left the rank's position up for you to decide, whether it be an Anguis, or an Enforcer."
"That offer does really sound tempting. As you can see, I am somewhat preoccupied at the moment and am out of commission. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. As I said to Miss Arianrhod here, I am quite literally in the center of the earth right now.", I stated. "Aren't you curious as to what my endgame might be?"
"I could only think of a little of what you are planning to do, Your Highness. I dare not to suggest anything.", Campanella said with a very polite tone that even I wanted to scoff at. He liked doing this sort of thing, didn't he?
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Campanella, is it? I won't dive too deeply into it. Luck struck my side to how I was born. My ambition might be as lofty as my Father's might be. Shall I give you a sneak peek of it? I plan to unite our two countries under one banner, Erebonia and Liberl.", I declared. Hearing that, Campanella's smile went from ear to ear, grinning widely. Yet before he could speak, we soon heard another voice call out to us, giggling.
"Hehe, I did not think you had plans to go that far, Naoto. It's only been a couple days since this plan of yours has already started, but Grandmother is already starting to miss you, even if she doesn't outright say it. Still, she doesn't miss you as much as she misses me.", The voice said, only for a third magic circle to show up. This time it was pure azure in color.
Following that, a girl arrived. She seemed around twelve years old, and was already wielding a large magic staff. Not like Roselia's Crimson Staff. This one was different. It was more her taste than Roselia's. Adding to her look are violet eyes and sandstone-silver hair.
"Well if it isn't Big Sister. You finally showed up. Did the Grandmaster reach out to you as well?", I asked. It was then it clicked for Campanella, causing him to smile again.
"Haha! Now I get it. You own a Familiar from the Kin of Fire. Of course you would be related to Vita as well, Your Highness.", Campanella said.
"Only recently. It hasn't been long since I've started wandering the outside world. My offer still stands. Perhaps I'll officially join Ouroboros when you do, Naoto.", Vita said, explaining her side of the story. So she was invited, but hadn't accepted yet, eh?
"That'll be up to you to decide, Vita. Either way, it is nice to see you again.", I said, welcoming Vita to this group. It's growing by the second, isn't it?
"It is a shame what happened to your home. Looks like you've started your own path because of it?", Vita asked with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"That's the simple way of putting it, yeah. With the pleasantries out of the way, I am afraid I cannot stay here for much longer.", I suddenly said to everyone. At the same time, a faint, ear-curdling screech resounded around us as part of background noise. Hearing this drew all of our attention, since this screech came from Tamamo's mouth. It sounded like death itself. Even Campanella shuddered, looking at him with a weird gaze.
"...Where did you say you were currently at, Your Highness?", Campanella decided to ask.
"The D:G Cult.", I answered.
"P-Pardon? Did I hear that right?", Vita immediately answered, eyes full of shock. This earned a laugh from Campanella.
"Hahaha! Of course you'd be there, Your Highness. Now it makes sense. Are you sure you don't need some backup while you're down there? We could send some of our Enforcers, as a token of this new friendship.", Campanella suggested, laughing at my blunt answer.
"Nah, that isn't needed. I'm here for a reason, I've got things handled. In fact, I might be sending a couple more people your way in the future. To you Campanella, and even to you, Miss Arianrhod.", I said to the two.
"Even to me?", Arianrhod asked, gaining interest. She wondered who it was that would be sent her way. I was referring to one of the future members of the Stahlritter that Arianrhod creates!
"Let's just leave it at that.", I simply said, finishing up what I needed to say.
All they could do was nod their heads to my words. I expected silence after, but I heard a couple Gamer Notifications.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has unlocked Favorability with Enforcer No. 0, Campanella the Fool.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has unlocked Favorability with Enforcer No. 1, McBurn The Blazing Demon.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has unlocked Favorability with the Seventh Anguis, Arianrhod the Steel Maiden.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Favorability with Vita Clotilde has reached 50%.]