It was the very same photo that was taken back at the Osborne Villa, before it went up into flames. Sorry Father, but I want to bring Elise into this. She has a right to know, as did Lord Teo.
I simply stayed quiet, and passed the photo Toward Elise, sliding it across the table.
"A photo...!?", Elise tried to say. It didn't take long for her mused look to get replaced with genuine shock. She saw Prince Olivert. Princess Alfin. Prince Cedric, and their mother in one area. Emma and Roselia stood in another. Elie and Mayor MacDowell stood not too far away from each other. But in the middle of that...
It was General Osborne, Kasia Osborne, and their two sons.
Naoto Osborne and Rean Osborne.
"T-This...This can't be Rean!", Elise exclaimed in shock.
"Take it as you will. This photograph was taken six years ago. Before the start of the Hundred Days War. It shouldn't be hard to put two and two together, Elise Schwarzer.", I said, remaining serious.
"You really are saying you are Rean's older brother...?", Elise responded, feeling weak. "But if that really is the case, why? Why did you let him suffer like that!?"
"It was something that couldn't have been avoided, Elise. An unruly bunch targeted Father. Rean ended up being collateral damage. As was I. Some things just needed to happen. All within reason.", I said, explaining it to Elise.
"All...within reason?", Elise replied, and frowned. "Is this why Lord Father swore such an oath? That man. General Osborne. He really is your Father?", Elise questioned.
"Indeed he is. I will correct you on one matter, Elise. Father took a fancy to two women in his lifetime. One you see in the photo. That is irrefutably Rean's Mother, to whom has unfortunately passed away during the attack. Father spun his own plans, and decided to cut ties. My Mother tragically passed away the moment I was born. It has just been the four of us until what happened six years ago."
"So...You're Rean's half-brother?", Elise pondered, trying to formulate a response from the news I had given Elise.
"In short, yes. And therein lies my request. Please continue to look after Rean in my absence. I am much more of a bastard son than Rean ever is, but I have already accepted my role. Grandmother has accepted me, and it is there that I will continue living how I want to.", I said to Elise, causing Elise to freeze for a moment.
"The place where you will live how you want to. That's...back at Liberl, isn't it? Is that why Her Imperial Highness took such a fancy to you?", Elise wondered.
"Haha, see that as you will. I do not know why Alfin got so attached to me. I won't be surprised if Father decides to pull some strings in the coming future.", I replied, scratching my head out of embarrassment.
"So you say. You know, Her Imperial Highness drew a photo that almost mimics the one you just gave me. I have calmed down a bit now, and it is as you say Lord Naoto, the two are related. To think Rean would go through such a thing...", Elise uttered, and frowned again.
"Which is why I can have you continue looking after him, like I asked, yes?", I asked again.
"I shall. That seems to be the most logical thing to do for now, given your position and all. I can see why you would carry this secret to your grave. Besides the people in this photo, Lord Father and I, there isn't anyone else in the know, right?", Elise asked, wanting to make sure.
"There's a few, but they're either my personal confidants, or Father's. It is safe for the time being. Something of this magnitude will throw not only our two countries out of whack, but perhaps all of Zemuria.", I replied.
"That I can see. Thank you for telling me all of this, Lord Naoto. But with the way you're looking to progress things, it might be best to call you His Highness? You'll be returning to where your home is. Grancel City in Liberl.", Elise asked.
"That's the plan. I had business in Roer but things took an unexpected turn, so we're staying an extra day or two here in Ymir before we catch a flight back to Grancel City. You can also pass my regards along to Alfin too.", I replied, smiling.
"Oh my. You're already calling Her Imperial Highness by her first name. How devious.", Elise said, revealing a playful grin.
"I'll say no comment to that."
"Hehehe. Oh I am just kidding. Come, why don't we finish the tea leaves Master Kafai prepared for us? It would be such a waste to throw them away after talking about all of this. The tea's probably cold by now so I'll go heat it up again.
"I'd like that. Perhaps I'll even share a story or two about Rean when he was younger.", I responded.
"Really?", Elise's eyes lit up in anticipation.
Just like that, the serious conversation I wanted to hold with Elise regarding both my current position and Rean's position came to an end. We ended up passing the quiet evening with more small talk. I had made the decision to include Elise on Father's sworn secrecy with Lord Teo. I am not sure if this will impact anything in the long run. I can't be beside Rean twenty-four seven, but Elise can. She lives here after all. I feel I can entrust this role to her. I don't know what this life of mine will develop into. I have that "Western Zemurian Unification Plan" now in its infancy.
That was why I even came here to Roer to begin with. Part of it was in discussion with Angelica Rogner, the sole daughter of House Rogner, one of the Five Great Houses. Some things are starting to spin which may eventually topple the Great Houses in its entirety, and I need Angelica for that. Perhaps Musse too, should she decide to hop on this wild bandwagon.
But until then, I can only continue living in the present for now. It was also good to know Princess Alfin had such nice friends. I hope Elise will continue being friends with Princess Alfin while I'm not here. Before I knew it, we had finished Master Yun's tea leaves, and I felt my body becoming drowsy.
With one or two yawns, I knew it was time for bed. I bid Elise farewell. Apart from our fun in the hot springs tomorrow, this might be my last time seeing her for a good while. We'll see.
On one parting note, I received one Gamer Notification as I headed back toward the Phoenix Wings, to which I opted not to use the footbath. That'll be saved for another day. I was pleasantly surprised with this Gamer Notification.
[Ding! Elise Schwarzer has accepted your resolve by swearing an oath with you that is on the same level as Giliath's oath sworn with Teo Schwarzer. You now have a new sense of duty to uphold. Having enjoyed such a conversation, Elise has become interested in who you are as a person, and why you hold so many different identities. Favorability has been unlocked with Elise Schwarzer.]
'Score', I inwardly thought while I clocked out for the night. By the time I arrived, Emma and Angelica were already sleeping, in separate beds of course. We had enough to go around.
So I hopped into mine, and decided to call it for a night.
I dare say this day was well spent. The only thing I didn't know at the time was that Master Kafai somehow reached the rooftop of the Schwarzer Mansion, and was enjoying a nice meditation session toward the starry sky above. He masked his presence well, and even I couldn't sense him as I walked. Master Kafai saw my retreating figure, and smiled.
"To think the heavens are turning in such an interesting direction. Will the Black God even be required at this point?", Master Kafai uttered, keeping his voice low.
It was then a shadowy blur arrived before Master Kafai, who seemed to be dressed entirely out of ninja garbs.
"You know you shouldn't be out this late at night, Master. You'll catch a cold.", A firm voice spoke, belonging to that of a man. His face was entirely hidden.
"Hohoho, this body is as fit as a fiddle as it ever will be! It is nice to join me on this auspicious night, Kuuga. I think I have reached a decision on the matter we have previously discussed.", Master Kafai said, turning toward the dark-clad ninja.
"You don't mean...", The ninja named Kuuga asked, keeping his voice soft.
"Indeed I do. You shall take up the mantle of being the next Chieftain of the Ikaruga. It is about time I retire. At the same time, you will be receiving a new disciple who goes by the name Shizuna. She will be the one who will inherit this blade.", Master Kafai said, only to pull out a sheathed katana from who knows where. It released a powerful vibe, and was deadly. "This blade which goes by the name Akagarasu."
"Understood, Master. I shall deliver this report to the rest of the clan and make the necessary arrangements."
"Oh, and do be careful departing from this little town, Kuuga. I've met some interesting new friends. Someone who hails from the long-lost Phoenix Clan. I did not think I would get to meet these eyes again in my lifetime. Tread carefully, or else he'll spot you all the way from the room he's in staying over yonder, hohoho.", Master Kafai said with a playful smile.
"You must be kidding---?", Kuuga tried to say, only to feel something strike against his entire being. This caused the ninja to turn around toward the Phoenix Wings.
Kuuga felt his blood run cold the moment he saw a violet-haired boy looking right at him with vermillion-colored eyes. Seeing this happen, Master Kafai laughed.
"Haha! No one can ever escape from eyes like those. In a way, they're much like my Omniscient Eye, but with a different purpose. Like I said, tread carefully as you depart Ymir. I will remain here for the night.", Master Kafai said, laughing.
"...I understand. I shall await to meet our newest disciple then.", Kuuga said, quickly shaking that uncomfortable feeling aside. He swiftly vanished from sight, just like how a ninja would depart. Master Kafai smiled once more before he also departed from the rooftop of the Schwarzer Mansion after he ended his meditation session.
As for me, I just watched in silence from the Phoenix Wings.
"Ikaruga...", I uttered softly.
"...Naoto? Is something wrong?", Emma's voice called out to me from nearby.
"It's nothing, Emma. You go back to sleep.", I said, calmly smiling at her. I felt something amiss, so I activated Vermillion Eyes. I didn't think I'd catch such a scene from Rean's rooftop no less. Master Kafai is such an interesting fellow, isn't he? Is he hinting that he's a Jaeger?
I'm not sure, but it is something to dwell on.
"Okay. Goodnight...", Emma's soft voice said, reaching my ears. Of course, she was in her own bed. I saw Angelica snoring loudly and was now twisted in ways that looked painful. Guess she likes to move around in her sleep a lot.
As for me, I yawned some more, and soon found myself passing out, entering dreamland.