Unbeknownst to Naoto and the rest of the Eight Leaves One Blade School, its Master, Master Yun Ka-Fai, issued a one-on-one challenge against the A-Rank Bracer, Zin the Immovable. All to determine whether Zin was ready to move up in the world, allowing the spotlight to eventually fall on him. Naoto didn't know, but Zin will be put up for recommendation by Leman State to rise up and become a S-Rank. This wouldn't happen for several years later, around the time Daybreak I begins. In S1207. There were still at least eight years to let that happen.
But right now, with Master Yun Ka-Fai crossing paths with Zin the Immovable, he was determined to challenge his resolve. To see if Zin could stand on the same footing Cassius currently stood on, both as a Divine Blade, and as a S-Rank Bracer. Was Zin ready to take on that kind of mantle? He didn't know, but he was grateful to Master Yun Ka-Fai to be there and challenge his resolve nonetheless.
It wasn't just the two of them who were on their way to find out their next strides in life. Many people were beginning to move about in Zemuria. Naoto was but one of many. So was Zin, and so was Sherryl. The sands of time remained relentless, and continued to churn. It waited for no one.
Hours soon turned into days. Days turned into weeks. Then weeks turned into months...
A different scene could now be seen taking place, long after Estelle and Joshua returned to Rolent alongside Cassius. Thanks to Scherazard's continued guidance, Estelle and Joshua reached a good stopping point in their studies. Their worldly knowledge of how Zemuria works as a whole improved. While their exam is not for another two-and-a-half years, they can now spend some time with their dad back in Rolent, Cassius Bright. During this time, Estelle also continued her training in Cassius's famous pole arts, learning directly under him. Being able to train directly under a Divine Blade is quite an opportunity. Not everyone has access to do that.
As for Scherazard, she decided to remain in Grancel City. Unlike Estelle and Joshua, she still had business in the capital. It wasn't just them she was guiding anymore. No. A new, aspiring Bracer joined the fray. Angelica Rogner. During this, Scherazard showed Angelica the ropes, basically repeating the same steps she did on Estelle and Joshua. That included a full training course beneath Grancel Sewers. Thankfully, due to her training in Taito, Angelica was far used to the physical demand of what a Bracer requires. One could even say that was her specialty. She routed Monster after Monster, and didn't need any additional assistance. Seeing such a trail left Scherazard stunned. She was likely even more powerful than her!
Because of that, Scherazard's training course shifted perspectives. Angelica found herself spending more time inside the Bracer Guild, studying and assisting Elnan with his endless piles of paperwork. Agate also took on requests no matter what they were, and that alone was enough to pass the time rather uneventfully. With Cassius now out of Grancel City, Agate didn't have much reason to stay in the capital anymore. The fiery, red-haired man began the next stretch of his journey. He departed the branch, bidding Elnan, Scherazard, and Angelica farewell. His next destination? Zeiss. And on foot no less. He left with nothing but a rucksack on his waist, and his trusty greatsword on his back.
Since Agate decided to head toward Zeiss, it will be up to the Goddess Aidios to see whether he will encounter Tita Russell. On the other hand, Tita's mother, Erika Russell, became quite riled up after seeing what Professor Schmidt had done. It took Erika a long time to settle her emotions down. From there, Erika decided to stay in Zeiss to watch over her daughter to make sure no one dared get close to her, doing what Erika usually does. She is quite overprotective of her daughter. She met quite a few people when the two visited Grancel City, so Erika's senses became even sharper.
Regarding Kloe, she was now entirely absent from Grancel Castle. She is now residing in Leiston Fortress for the time being. Now that she was there full-time, she could fully devote her time and energy to train. Thanks to that, she's nwo learning a variety of styles under the Eight Leaves One Blade style, albeit not to the extent of what Richard or Cassius can do. But on occasion, even those two travel to Leiston Fortress to give Kloe a pointer when they can. Kloe knew she could do this thanks to the newest arrival at Grancel Castle, Jayna Storm. Jayna noticed quickly that Liberl's Crown Prince had indeed left Grancel Castle, but saw that no personnel were in disarray.
On the contrary. Because advance notices were sent, Grancel Castle didn't become chaotic as much as it did last time. Yes, the Royal Army was in a wreck, but people like General Morgan didn't panic, nor was he given a mission to seek Naoto out like last time. He could fortify Grancel Castle while the Royal Army waited for Naoto's return. With everything still in relative order, Jayna Storm found herself entering a period of harsh training. Not only as a maid, but handling any and all matters of Grancel Castle. Jayna became genuinely respectful of Hilda seeing her do all of this so effortlessly. The only person Jayna would spot during this time was Angelica, popping in on occasion. Whether that was to sleep in their private quarters, or enjoy a meal. Naoto gave full access to Angelica since she decided to stay behind.
That's right, only Angelica was the one who stayed behind. Kloe and Ennea ventured off doing their own respective business. It wasn't just them.
Renne too, had other plans.
Renne had left the capital altogether...
An unknown amount of time later. Above the calm waters of lake Valleria.
To be specific, toward the north where one of the five major cities stood in Liberl. The city of Bose. Bose stood to the north. Ruan was to the west. Zeiss was to the south. Grancel City to the southeast, then Rolent to the east. All five major cities circled Lake Valleria, with Grancel Castle itself resting atop the lake. Bose was as active as ever, known as the largest marketplace in all of Liberl. The focus wasn't there.
No, something else could be seen happening further south of Bose. Closer toward the lake stood a large, ancient tower since time immemorial. Well, not that far back, but this tower was a set of four that have been around since the time ancient Zemurians roamed the continent around the time the Great Collapse happened. Around 1200 years ago. If one looked closely, this tower was clad in an amber glow, likely rich in the element, Earth. All kinds of Earth Septium Veins crisscrossed throughout the tower. In addition to this tower were three others, which would eventually end up being called the Tetracyclic Towers, each holding one of the four primary elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
The focus right now as the tower clad in earth. Otherwise known as the Amberl Tower. A place few dared to enter due to how dangerous the tower was on the inside. Because of the active Septium Veins, it attracted Monsters far and wide. While it was dangerous to most, it also offered opportunity to others. These four towers were prime training locations should they decide to go on adventure.
And yet, that was all on the outside. The Amberl Tower, along with the three other Tetracyclic Towers, held an entirely different purpose that had been lost through time. It held a terrible secret. These four towers acted as a sealing mechanism that kept one of the seven Sept-Terrions, treasures bestowed to humanity by the Goddess Aidios herself, sealed away. Only by activating and removing the seal on all four towers would this Sept-Terrion be unleashed into existence once again. These so-called Gates were called the Second Seal.
That meant there was still a First Seal out there, located in a different area. The seal was multi-layered. All because it was home to the Sept-Terrion of Space, the Aureole. Not just anyone could access it. And while it was lost in time to most, a very few still knew of its existence. Apart from Liberl's Royal Family, members of Ouroboros knew what it could do. After all, that was the primary objective of their Gospel Plan. To unleash the Aureole onto humankind, only to take it for themselves to make sure it doesn't fall into wrong hands.
With all of that being said, that didn't seem to bother two particular individuals who could now be seen standing in front of the Amberl Tower. One was a violet-haired girl wearing a frilly dress with a large scythe equipped on her back, and the second figure appeared to be a silver-haired man with a powerful-looking sword at his waist.
"So this is one of the Tetracyclic Towers, the Amberl Tower, huh?", The girl said. Her lips were currently curved upward into a grin. "Doesn't seem anything too special if you ask me. Has it really stood for over a millennium?"
"There is no easy way to obtain that answer in such a short amount of time. You very well know that, Renne.", The man said, and sighed. "We've only been tasked to scout each of the four towers. I hear there are challenging monsters inside."
"I know, I know. I'm just teasing you, Loewe. With Naoto out of the picture for the time being, I finally have some spare time, so I decided to move forward with the Gospel Plan.", Renne happily replied. "I know we have milestones that cannot happen until we reach a certain amount of progress. We can at least know what we're dealing with before the Gospel Plan comes to fruition."
"Well, you aren't wrong there. Knowing our enemies is considered half the battle. But are you sure you are up for this, Renne?", Loewe asked, shifting his head to look at Renne. "It hasn't been long since you became an Enforcer. You do have me around this time, but you don't have to take part in this."
"I am more than ready, Loewe. I am not that feeble child you once knew back on the ship. The time and effort I spent to reach the position I am now in wasn't just for show. On the contrary, will you be able to keep up with my pace?", Renne responded, and giggled again. It is as Renne said, she now had all the free time in the world to do this now that Naoto is in Erebonia. Her primary task as an Enforcer right now while she resides in Liberl was to monitor one of the four Tetracyclic Towers. They couldn't activate the Second Seal until the First Seal was released anyways. And that wouldn't happen until Trails in the Sky's first chapter during the height of Richard's attempted coup d'état.
"Fair enough. I am not one to underestimate the progress you have displayed on the Glorious. You've more than earned enough praise from the Grandmaster.", Loewe said, only to pull out his blade, aptly called the Kernviter. His eyes then turned serious. "Perhaps I could use this time to personally judge how far you have gotten since the completion of your training."
"I wouldn't like anything better. I've been getting an itch to fight some Monsters. I honestly don't know how Naoto does it, being cooped up in the castle all day long. He does have that Royal Harem of his, but even he has his limits. Because of that, he has to do his little vanishing acts all so he can do something he wants to do, hehe.", Renne replied with a grin.
"You seem to really hold Enforcer No. IV in high regard. And to even have a harem. How befitting of The Emperor's seat.", Loewe uttered, only to sigh again.
"I know, right? The Emperor's seat is very fitting for him!", Renne happily said. "I say that, but Naoto hasn't officially recognized his spot amongst us Enforcers yet. It's more of a collaboration right now, if anything. He still has a lot of items on his plate right now that he may not have enough time or energy to divert to the likes of us."
"That does not matter. What matters is His Royal Highness is currently aligned with our goals.", Loewe said, concluding the matter for the time being. "For now, let's just scope out what these towers can do. What we hope to achieve here will likely remain inactive until The Faceless progresses his portion of the Gospel Plan. The Phantom Thief, the Bewitching Bell, and the Direwolf should be approaching their respective locations as we speak."
"Then let us get this show on the road!", Renne exclaimed. "Just a shame we won't be able to see any big damage numbers with it just being you and me. We need Naoto present for that.", Renne said, only to grab ahold of her domineering scythe on her back with ease, and swung it around.
"Big damage numbers...?", Loewe responded. "Are you referring to His Royal Highness's ability?"
"The very same. It helps monitor our ongoing progress, but sadly we don't have access to that right now.", Renne said. "Besides that, should I call you "Lorence" during this little excursion of ours?"
"Call me whatever you wish.", Loewe said. "I'm more surprised you're heading out to do this with me. I figured you'd stay in Grancel Castle."
"Like I said, Naoto has some unfinished business to take care of. You know the Seventh Anguis, right? Seems he is keen on following in her footsteps. Take that as you will.", Renne explained while keeping the matter of becoming a pilot of a Divine Knight vague.
"Following in the Seventh Anguis's footsteps...", Loewe uttered, wondering exactly what Renne was referring to. "Even I dare not match up against her. The Steel Maiden is in a league of her own. I do not know much about this Divine Knight business. Perhaps it is enough to discuss with The Faceless once we're done with our business here."
"Heehee.", Renne giggled again. "Just don't break the tower in the process alright? We still have a use for it!"
"Heh.", Loewe chuckled, and pointed his blade outward toward the Amberl Tower. "I haven't gone all out in a long while. Let us make our way toward the top."
"Yeah!"
Just like that, with their weapons ready to strike at a moment's notice, Renne and Loewe headed inside the Amberl Tower to tackle whatever challenge that was lurking inside.