I recently posted my second iteration of my "Gamer" fanfictions! A Gamer In The MCU is now available here! Go check it out!
To go along with its posting schedule, I will be updating my posting schedule here.
Three Chapters on Monday and Friday, six chapters per week.
Happy Trails and Happy Reading~
If you don't wait to wait for future chapters, they are available on my Patre0n, free of charge. Go follow it at /Aht666! The second fanfiction is also available there!
*
Despite no one's Favorability reaching all the way to 100%, I managed to make some decent progress with some individuals during the evening ball. I even managed to get some new ones, so I'm pleased with this progress. With the Nobles now departed from Valflame Palace, and the rest of our group split off with Empress Priscilla, it was just Princess Alfin, His Imperial Majesty and I.
It did not take long for the three of us to be greeted by an exceptional individual, Captain Claire Rieveldt of the RMP. The rest were already escorted out of Esmelas Garden into the private guest rooms they'll be staying in for the evening. She stood by the large entranceway, standing as still as a statue. She did not disturb us. Not behind us, no. Claire stood at the forefront of Esmelas Garden.
The very same corridor that is strictly used by the Imperial Family, and Chancellor Osborne. It is the very same room Chancellor Osborne brings Rean to, both to discuss his origin, and the incident of Hamel. Nothing ever escapes from there, and it is always under strict security. It is also where Ash experiences Erebonia's Curse firsthand, and ends up shooting His Imperial Majesty.
That meant Claire was waiting for our next move. With Claire being in the presence of His Imperial Majesty, she couldn't just approach us willy-nilly. She had to wait until the time was right.
Emperor Eugent III stood beside us, poised and dignified. Befitting that of an Emperor. He knew how to carry himself well. He is also the father of Prince Olivert, Prince Cedric, and Princess Alfin. Even Princess Alfin didn't back down. A firm look could be seen in her eyes as she stood beside me. She even had enough energy to crack a smile, despite spending a lot of it on dancing.
In this passing moment, His Imperial Majesty simply observed us in silence. Would it be too early to start calling him Father-In-Law? Haha!
The two of us are to be wed in the faraway future, so perhaps now isn't the best time to do that. But doing that will act as a bridge between Erebonia and Liberl, strengthening the strained relationship between the two, considering the Hundred Days War happened and all. This engagement alone held a lot of significance.
I do not know what was going on in my Father's head when he proposed this, but this is a great step toward the big plan I have in the making. A plan that I have only told a seldom few. My closest family, and the girls who are are a part of my harem. The Western Zemuria Unification Plan!
Father has great insight to what happens as a whole across Zemuria, playing four-dimensional chess in his head just like how Musse does it. He can go as far as inserting himself as a villain in a ploy to get what he wants, and he does exactly just that as the Ebon Knight's pilot. He blends war and legends to his liking.
I don't know what Father's end goal is, whether he just wants to get rid of Erebonia's Curse, or if he wants to unify countries altogether. He passes away at the end of Cold Steel IV, for good, and as the consumer, we couldn't exactly see the future Father wanted.
Has Father already seen what I've been attempting to accomplish lately? He suggested that bold engagement. I'm inclined toward thinking so.
But Father can have his wars. He's the Blood and Iron Chancellor. To Ouroboros, I'm the Rulebreaker! I'll do things my own way. Not through struggle. Nope, through the power of love. The harem, haha!
I might be half-joking about that, but I am very serious about who enters this harem of mine.
It already has a Noble in it too, Angelica Rogner. The Gamer System has played a huge role with the connections and bonds I've created since I was brought into Zemuria, and I have no plans to end things halfway through. I'm not that kind of guy. I'm looking forward to how big the harem gets by the time I'm in the Endgame! I do not know what lies beyond S1207, so time is ticking.
By then, the Septerion of Space, the Septerion of Mirage, the Septerion of Fire and the Septerion of Earth would have emerged, and claimed by Ouroboros one way or another.
That leaves the Sept-Terrion of Water, the Sept-Terrion of Wind, and the Sept-Terrion of Time. Cold Steel fused Earth and Fire to create Steel, and I do know Daybreak is not the final arc of the Trailsverse. That much was stated when people were looking forward to what happens in Calvard. If they intend to save Wind and Water for the finale, that only means Time is next...
I probably should use my Vermillion Eyes sooner than later. Perhaps once the dust settles here, not when the Vermillion Trials are over, I'm talking about the coming of the new year. Once S1200 comes, I'll only need 90k EP to view from S1200 to S1209. If I move my gear and titles around, that'll be enough. I think I'll do that and see what's in store for the future.
Regarding the harem, I do not know whether or not it will be brought up tonight in the discussion we're about to hold beyond that imposing door. If it does, I'll be sure to respond in kind.
Princess Alfin likely doesn't have a clue as to what we will be talking about, but I am not one to deny her feelings. I am quite curious as to how Grandmother will react to all of this happening once I return to Grancel Castle too.
After all, it isn't just Princess Alfin with whom I've been bequeathed an engagement with. There's Aurelia Le Guin, and Princess Klaudia too.
Seeing me formalize my engagement with Princess Alfin like this may cause those to become null and void, but I'll see how things play out. I would not mind either joining the harem in the future. Aurelia doesn't have to be my wife, even though she was the one who made that proposal. I still have to duel her too!
Lots of things to consider, at the very least. For now, I just saw Princess Alfin over the moon with how happy she presently is. She truly had a blast at this event, and I couldn't have it any other way.
It did not take long for His Imperial Majesty to start talking with us.
"It doesn't need a magician to tell me that the both of you enjoyed tonight's festivities, Prince Naoto. As Alfin's father, I cannot be any more happy seeing herself enjoy tonight. Hopefully, it lived up to your expectations.", Emperor Eugent said as he looked at the two of us.
"Of course it did.", I happily replied. "And that goes for the both of us. Besides, I even got to dance with some folks I hadn't had the pleasure of dancing with until now, so it was well worth it. The dance, the banquet, everything. I'm even walking away with a cute fiance too.", I said, turning my head toward Princess Alfin.
Reaching my hand out, I didn't go for her arm. No, it was way too early to consider hand-holding. That's off limits until after marriage!
Instead, I plopped my hand over Princess Alfin's head, and began patting her head.
"Oh my.", Princess Alfin happily responded, but didn't reject it. She simply smiled back at me. Rean is a known serial headpatter, am I going to become one too?
I sometimes do the "Haha's", and the head pats. Oh boy. Jokes aside, I saw Princess Alfin giggle in response. She didn't shy away from it.
"You're such a tease, Naoto. You definitely showed off your Skill tonight. I'm surprised you managed to keep up with Musse. She might be younger, but she's already starting taking her etiquette seriously. She's already had some dance partners up to this point, as practice. Musse's fervor alone made them quit halfway through. She'll definitely be sleeping with a satisfied face tonight.", Princess Alfin happily responded.
'Perhaps unlocking Favorability with Musse wasn't just for show then. Maybe this will lead somewhere? I wouldn't be against Musse entering the harem too, but that would be way, way much further down the line. We'll see where things are then. It is too early to consider Musse's position right now.', I thought to myself for a moment.
"Was there such a thing?", Emperor Eugent asked, unsure of what Princess Alfin was referring to.
"But of course, Papa. You need to be with the crowd, as one would say. You shouldn't be so distant from others!", Princess Alfin said, puffing her cheeks out.
"Haha.", Emperor Eugent said, laughing. "Perhaps I really have been working too much lately. There's still some lingering effects taking place around our borders since the Hundred Days War ended, so I've been focused on reforming the Imperial Army. Chancellor Osborne has been assisting me with the bills. But overseeing project after project has been taking a toll on me. Would you like it if I took some time off, maybe a week or so, and spent some time back at the Imperial Villa?"
Princess Alfin's eyes sparkled the moment she heard that.
"That would be splendid! We could even take Naoto and his friends there, and I can show them around our villa. It's not like you'll have to be at the Vander Dojo twenty-four seven, right?", Princess Alfin asked, looking at me. "You'll be around for another two months or so."
"Hmm. It is true I will be under the care of the Vander Dojo, but it is as you say, Alfin. There should be enough free time to do other things. Taking a visit to your Imperial Villa could do us some good.", I happily responded.
We're talking about Karel Imperial Villa here, a private home solely used by the Imperial Family! It's the same location where Rean and Class VII clash against the Noble Alliance where the Imperial Family was being held at. It is also where Rean fights against Altina Orion for the first time after waking up, only to have the Infernal Castle rise up from its ashes.
But that takes place five years into the future, give or take. It is much earlier than that, so right now, it is very much a vacation home. A great place for relaxation!
"Then it has been decided. I will have to talk about it with Priscilla, but I am sure she won't be against it. We will have to save this topic for a later date. You have the Chancellor to visit now, Naoto. He is a very busy man. Much more so than me.", Emperor Eugent said, nodding his head. His eyes turned serious. It wasn't often he showed this look, but Princess Alfin knew well he wasn't joking around.
"It is not like I am foreign to His Excellency. I've encountered Chancellor Osborne on a few occasions. His work for the Erebonian Empire is top notch, from what I hear. But in response to that, the laws he has been passing has begun to form rifts between the Nobles, and the Commoners. He's been trying to make the Commoners' livelihoods more easy, but I know that is not an easy feat to achieve. He has my praise.", Princess Alfin said with a hint of respect in her eyes. "I do understand the importance of this meeting tonight with Naoto, but why would His Excellency go out of his way to include me?"
Princess Alfin remained confused. She couldn't figure out the reason why Father is including her tonight. Emperor Eugent didn't answer right away. He simply looked at me, but I could see His Imperial Majesty had come to an understanding of sorts.
It does beg the question, what exactly does His Imperial Majesty know? He was there when Father brought along a little kid of unknown origin when he took the throne to become the next Emperor. His Imperial Majesty may not be the strongest powerhouse on the continent, but he does have his wit. Similar to how Claire can stitch missing pieces together with ease, and see the bigger picture. But for His Imperial Majesty, he has experience obtained by living for a long time.
I wouldn't be surprised if His Imperial Majesty was beginning to piece together who I really am. Father was on military leave at the time, but with the Generals around him, it was a tightly-lipped secret. His Imperial Majesty stands at the very top of that, so it is likely he knows.
Regardless, I didn't speak right away. I remained silent. I could see it in His Imperial Majesty's eyes. Nodding my head, I saw him smile. We didn't say anything, and instead, His Imperial Majesty turned his head to look at Princess Alfin.
"All will be explained in due time, my daughter. His Excellency has spared some moments for this visit tonight. He reached out to you, so you will attend it alongside Prince Naoto. What will be spoken behind these doors, none of it is to be spoken outside of it. Not a single word. Do I make myself clear?", Emperor Eugent asked. Princess Alfin was surprised. Unlike earlier, it was very rare to see His Imperial Majesty so serious.
"Yes, Papa.", Princess Alfin responded in kind, nodding her head.
"Very well. Please lead this way, Your Royal Highness, Your Imperial Highness.", Claire's voice said, calling out to us.
After Claire observed our ongoing conversation, a decision was reached right then and there. She knew what to do, and proceeded to open the large, imposing double-door before us. A rather long and stylish hallway soon came into view.
Princess Alfin and I exchanged looks, before we nodded at each other. His Imperial Majesty led the way. Into a place that wasn't meant for many folks to enter.
It was time to have a talk with Father!