"Ding-Dong. The next express train bound for the Nortia Main Line will depart in ten minutes. End destination, Roer. Please make sure your luggage is secure when disembarking the train. The next express train bound for...", A voice suddenly spoke out over an intercom within Heimdallr Station. After having a blast at Sara's home the night prior, Mueller, Emma, Claire and I made our way to the nearest airport, and arrived at Heimdallr Airport. From there we took a ride to Heimdallr Station.
Unless one was flying out of the country, it was much easier to take the train when travelling around Erebonia. It has the transcontinental railroad, and it even connects to places like Crossbell City and beyond. Much more convenient in my opinion. Plus it's cheaper, not that money really is a problem for me. I haven't even dipped below the twenty million Mira mark that I received as an inheritance from my late mother. I know she left me an entire villa as well back in Liberl. Once things are more calm, I'll scope out the place then. I still have some plans on my itinerary.
Stopping by House Rogner in Roer is one of them!
Presently, many sounds of shuffling feet could be heard across the stations as passengers began to leave the cabins of the train. It was a double-sided station. Two sets of railways could be seen on each side, totaling four. After all, this station belonged to the capital of Erebonia. Many people travelled about on a daily basis. It made sense to have so many railways, allowing one to go where they pleased.
I could be seen with Glistening Moonlight sheathed at my waist, waiting to board the orbal train that was currently letting its passengers leave it. We were bound for the north exit on the opposite side. Next to me was a plum-haired girl who was a year younger, Emma Millstein. A large, tightly-wrapped cloth that was much larger than Emma's stature towered over her body. We received plenty of stairs but we paid them no attention.
All thanks to the third person who was presently with us. An icy, blue-haired maiden. Claire Rieveldt. She was now dressed in her RMP uniform, fully decked out in gray. Those who observed this scene from afar could guess that we were figures of importance, so they didn't question it. They just walked along past us, going about their daily business.
"I really appreciate you for accompanying us all the way to the station, Claire. It saddens me you can't join us on this next venture.", I said to Claire who remained in front of us with a couple of RMP Officers assigned to her patrol. She let out a rare laugh.
"Haha, it is of no matter, Your Highness. All I did was observe what happened during the events that took place up there. If anything, I should thank His Excellency for allowing me this opportunity. It sounds like I'm not the first one to experience either. I've recently come to learn what has transpired, and it sounds like Lord Rufus and Sir Lechter both share similar sentiments while they accompanied you.", Claire said to me.
"Once upon a time, they did. Our little group back then explored the outskirts of Calvardian waters. Both Lechter and Rufus were with us at the time.", I answered Claire with a nod of my head. "And even if you looked into what happened, I'm sure Lechter and Rufus will explain it to you better as to what happened. Father knows everything.", I continued to say.
"Sigh...", Claire replied, and sighed. "If only time allowed for that. My studies will be starting shortly, and even Sir Lechter will soon enroll at Jenis Royal Academy in a couple years' time. I am sure Lord Rufus is busy with his duties as well, so I'd hate to intrude on them. Should time permit though, I will gladly seek them out should I have more questions."
"That time is approaching already, huh? Oh how time flies. You know, after Lechter begins his studies, mine will soon follow. It's only four more years out. Does seem quite a bit aways still, but it will happen before you realize it.", I happily replied.
You even get to see Lechter interact with Kloe in one of the Doors during Sky the 3rd as a recollection event. Father was likely in contact with Lechter at that point, so him staying at Jenis was merely a ruse. Or did he actually enjoy studying there? Either way, this will happen when both Kloe and I are in our first year, so I'll get to interact with Lechter some more by the time that happens. He may show up unannounced at the Vermillion Trials too, so only time will tell for that. I wouldn't be surprised if that does end up happening, haha!
"So you have begun your study plans. If Sir Lechter and I do not cross paths until then, I hope you'll give him a good listen. Is it fine if I start addressing you as Young Master as they do?", Claire asked me.
"Whatever floats your boat. They're already doing so, so I don't see why not. And no promises on that, heh.", I replied. "Who knows? Perhaps we'll meet each other again sooner than either Lechter or Rufus will.", I replied with a grin.
"Only time will tell then. We cannot anticipate what His Excellency will think of next. And on that part, I wish you the best of luck on your next endeavor. May Aidios be with you.", Claire said, and gave the two of us a salute. Her couple of patrol guards beside her also saluted us.
"The same goes for you, Claire. Miss Julia will be expecting our arrival once we finish conducting our business in Roer. Take care, Claire.", I said, letting my grin fade away. It turned into a smile.
Claire nodded her head, and did an about-face. Turning around, she soon departed Heimdallr Station, leaving the two of us to our own devices. It didn't take long for Emma and I to be alone. I looked toward her while she looked back at me.
"It's been a while since it's just been the two of us, hasn't it?", I asked Emma
"It really has. I don't mind it, though. I know there are many others who are now connected with you. It gives me a chance to have one over them, even if it is just for a short period of time hehe.", Emma responded with a giggle.
"Now what's that supposed to mean?", I shot back, squinting my eyes at her. At the same time, I saw her newly-acquired weapon tightly bound on her back. "Are you sure you don't want me to store that away for you? You amongst everyone else should know I have the ability to do that by now."
"Oh I know. But I do not mind carrying it. I like this way. It provides good training for my stamina. I could say the same to you too, Naoto.", Emma said, seeing my Glistening Moonlight at my waist. Hearing that caused me to chuckle.
"Fair enough. Then I will let you have the window seat so it won't be annoying during our transit.", I said.
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that.", Emma happily responded. At this time, we heard a loud horn from the orbal train to our left. It was a sign that we should board, as it would be closing its doors soon.
"Tickets please.", The nearby clerk said. I saw a nervous sweat on his face. He saw the whole debacle before him, but he knew he couldn't speak back at us. He saw that we had some relation to the RMP. All he could do was ask for our tickets. I inwardly chuckled at this, but did as he requested. The two of us flashed our tickets.
It was then we heard a hurried voice reach our ears.
"Hurry up, Grandpa! You're always so slow. We need to make this train so we can go home, you know!", A girl's voice said, who seemed to be in a hurry. A shadow quickly darted right beside us. A second voice soon followed, appearing much older.
"Hoho, we're still on time as you can see. I told you we'd make it, didn't I, Anelace? You heard the train's horn just now. We've plenty of time to board.", An aged man's voice spoke out. The moment I heard this aged voice, I came to a sudden halt. Surprise appeared in my eyes. Emma saw this and became confused.
"Naoto?", Emma tried to ask.
But I couldn't even say anything before I felt a soft bump strike against my back. The figure who was swiftly arriving in our direction accidently bumped into me. Thanks to that, I tumbled forward a bit, but managed to catch myself. I couldn't say the same thing for the figure behind me though. There was enough force to cause this person to fall onto their butt behind me.
"Owie...", A voice of a girl uttered, only to find herself suddenly on the floor. My momentary stupor turned into genuine shock this time. This voice sounded very familiar!
"Hehe, you get what you deserve for running ahead of us. You're so impatient unlike Master.", A third voice called out to us, whose voice seemed to belong to that of a girl as well. Turning around, I saw an upbeat, brown-haired girl with a tear in her eye. I didn't hesitate. Reaching my hand out, I spoke and apologized.
"I'm sorry about that. Are you alright?", I asked the girl. She blinked her eyes once she saw a violet-haired boy who was dressed in a fancy robe. That's right. Considering who I had business with next, I now had my Phoenix Robe on.
"Awa...", The brown-haired girl stammered while she attempted to stand back up. She almost stumbled over again.
"Careful now.", I replied, and managed to catch her a second time.
"T-Thank you. I'm really sorry.", The brown-haired girl said, continuing to stammer as she frantically apologized. I don't blame her. I have the appearance of a Noble now. I'm not so pompous like other certain nobles are. I know when to keep my head steady. Seeing this brought a smile to the aged man. He appeared quite old.
This old man somehow felt even more familiar than the brown-haired girl before me. I immediately recognized who the latter was, but I tried to recall who this old man was. As I tried to remember, he laughed as he approached us.
"Hoho, I do apologize for my granddaughter's actions just now, young lad. You seem to be a noble, but you carry yourself well at such a young age. A trait seldom seen these days. And I've come across countless numbers of individuals. I've been alive and kicking since the time the Orbal Revolution took place.", The old man said, greeting me with a smile. "And at the very least, it looks like this ride won't be as boring as I had initially thought. To think someone else would be riding in the first-class seats beside us."
"A noble huh? Now it's starting to make sense.", The second girl said, arriving beside the two. She had very lush silver hair. Reminded me of Elie and Aurelia, but theirs were of a lighter tone. The hair on this girl was much more silvery. You'd be surprised, but the latter two are actually related thanks to some lore you discover while playing the Cold Steel arc, but Elie and Aurelia are distant cousins. They aren't exactly closely related. This girl, on the other hand, probably has zero relationship to those two. But I digress, it isn't often you see silver-haired women. But now, I've come across four, if you include Fie. Hers is more white than silver though.
As I thought that, our eyes met. The hairs on my back began to stand up, screaming at me.
This girl is dangerous. Especially since she is carrying a long, sheathed katana at her waist. She too saw the sheathed rapier down at my waist as well, and smiled at me. It was as if an invisible streak of lightning flashed across our eyes, turning time to a standstill for just a brief moment.
The girl then smiled at me.
"Oho. Master's words aren't wrong. It isn't often he praises someone. You carry yourself well.", The silver-haired girl said to me. Sadly, our conversation was cut short when we heard a fourth voice call out to these people. Even my heart started to thump. Of these folks, this fourth voice sounded the most familiar!
"Are you okay, big sis?", The voice said. It belonged to a boy. We soon saw a black-haired boy approach us, likely a year younger than me and more around Emma's age. Emma stared at this boy. Her thoughts began to stir. It looks like she recognized him too.
"Oh...", Emma uttered, quickly realizing who this black-haired boy was. Just like with the silver-haired girl, the boy had a practice tachi at his waist.
But seeing these people before me, my earlier doubts of who this old man was were cleared up.
Master Yun-Ka-Fai, founder of the Eight Leaves One Blade School of Swordsmanship. A very popular style that is renowned throughout all of Zemuria. And these three people beside him are practitioners of said school. But the silver-haired girl is the one in question, I think she makes an appearance in Daybreak's new story. Doesn't she split off from this school to join another one? Perhaps that hasn't happened yet?
The brown-haired girl is Anelace Elfead, who is Master Yun's granddaughter. The silver-haired girl, as I recall in what I knew from Reverie, is called Shizuna. You officially get to meet her in Reverie's daydreams after clearing its post-game content. A few additional stories open up, allowing you to see Calvard's situation for the first time.
But perhaps the biggest prize of this group isn't these three. It's the black-haired boy who watched on with a curious look in his eyes. His eyes landed on me, in particular.
After all, he is Rean Schwarzer.
My dear half-brother.
At last, we meet again!
What? Didn't expect we'd cross paths like this so soon, eh?