136 Chapter 136: Emma's Resolve

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

Later that afternoon.

Somewhere over the skies in the airspace above Erebonia and Liberl's borders.

A sole large commercial aircraft could be seen drifting above the clouds as it approached its cruising speed. Both Erebonia and Liberl were neighbors so its flight time didn't last as long as it did for other countries, only a couple to a few hours at most.

The commercial aircraft was quite large as well, on top of that, its deck was mostly open. Compared to the previous life of a violet-haired boy, most of the aircrafts he had seen could not afford such a luxury. Such is the splendor of orbal energy. With orbal energy surrounding these aircrafts, one could freely explore above deck without being heavily blasted by the coldness of the sky's wind. Several figures could be seen out and about on the deck of this large commercial aircraft enjoying the breeze as they enjoyed the view of the world beneath them.

This aircraft departed from Heimdallr directly, so the violet haired boy had to report his identity once his group reached security. Security was pretty tight which made sense, since it was going from country to country. As such, the plum haired girl next to him opted to carry her large tightly wrapped clothed object over her back when his group boarded the aircraft. Security was surprised at first seeing Liberl's prince board it, but they assumed he was returning home to Grancel, so it's not like they could have held him. Security could only assume the two figures with the prince were his escorts.

Once they were past security, the orbal aircraft quickly left for the skies, and approached its cruising altitude. The scarlet haired teen with the two quickly passed out snoozing once he reached his seat. Both first class and the economy classes shared the same interior cabins, but they were heavily sectioned off. The first class seats were toward the front end of the aircraft, allowing a full view should one decide to not get up and wander.

As Lechter decided to catch up with his sleep some more, Emma also decided to doze off for a brief time during liftoff. Since that was the case, I decided to not bother the two. Orbal energy really is a wonder on these machines. We can lift off vertically without approaching high speeds, and there is minimal turbulence as well. It creates a very smooth ride from start to finish.

To not disturb Emma or Lechter, I stretched my body a bit after hearing the intercom go off saying we were free to move out and about, so I wandered off to the northwest exit, and felt a cold breeze reach my face the moment the door opened. A field of vast white clouds and the earthen land below reached my eyes once I leaned over the deck a bit. It really was quite pretty as I saw a new land before me, one to which I have spent over a decade in now.

'I can't believe it's already been over ten years since I reincarnated here...', I uttered to myself, still marveling at the fact. 'I think I have centered myself quite well since I came here. I haven't been trying to completely rely on that gamer system either, even if it has been beneficial to my growth. I already have a new family too, on top of getting a new girlfriend...' I continued to say to myself.

'Still, who would have thought I would have become related to one of the games' most notorious villains, out of all people? I know there are a lot of people who are far worse than he is, but he is no less than a scheming bastard. But that bastard is still my father, I can't come to call him in such a manner. Even if he is the kind who will try to achieve his goals using no matter the means. I still love him in my own way, I guess, even if we are spending time apart now much like how he is to Rean.' I continued to say to myself.

"But I guess the main difference there is we are still on speaking terms, while he isn't with Rean, huh?', I continued to wonder.

Before I realized it, I had been standing outside for a few moments. I could see Liberl's land fast approaching in view with Valleria Lake in its center. I also felt a presence approach me, which caused me to blink my eyes for a moment.

"So you were here, Naoto.", Emma's voice reached my ears. "I didn't see you in your seat, so I figured you would be out and about.", Emma said, arriving at my side with a smile on her face.

"Haha, I didn't want to disturb your guys' rest, so I just came out to take a breather. The wind really does feel nice.", I replied happily, seeing Emma arrive beside me.

"It really does.", Emma also replied happily, taking the moment to push her hair backward. Despite it being in a ponytail, her bangs could still be seen being whipped a bit from side to side.

"I'd say this trip was worth it, wasn't it? The pay we got from Zephyr was quite high too.", Emma replied, causing me to chuckle.

"Heh, I wasn't really in it for the money. I wanted to see how North Ambria was doing, but those Northern Jaegers really are something. A very close-knit group if I must say."

"Zephyr is kind of along that level too from the experiences we held there. You became quite close with Fie, didn't you?",

"What are you trying to get at?", I retorted Emma as I squinted my eyes a bit.

"It's clear she likes you. Plus Fie trusts you enough to where you can cover her back. That trust is quite hard to earn in terms of combat.", Emma explained as she looked me in the eyes. "Are you not going to respond to her as you did for Kloe and Angie?", Emma decided to ask.

"Fie is currently going through her missions in Zephyr, so we may be apart for a while. If the next time we meet she still feels that way, I won't turn her down.", I replied with a firm tone, causing Emma to nod her head.

"Good. Feeling should be taken seriously. Don't forget there's Elie and Estelle too. They may be doing their own business presently, but there may be a time where you come to face similar situations like you did with Angie.", Emma continued to say, which caused me to blink my eyes for a moment.

"You're heading somewhere with what you're saying, aren't you?", I decided to ask as I looked at Emma. Hearing that, Emma smiled, only to turn toward the sea of clouds to look at them before answering.

"Yes. I'll be returning to my village to be with Grandmother for quite some time.", Emma explained. When she said that, I turned quiet, letting the air breeze past us in a moment of silence.

"...I see. You've come to reach such a decision yourself.", I said, feeling amazed at Emma.

"That's right. Now don't get me wrong, once you start your trials, I will be there to support you, but outside of that, I wish to recollect what I have experienced to further promote my growth in my magic training. And with mana being so concentrated in Eryn, I feel that is the best path for me to take right now, even if I am to not be by your side during it.", Emma explained her current situation.

"So that's what you currently feel then. I'll miss you, you know?", I asked, only to reach out my hand a bit, ruffling Emma's hair. She didn't deny my headpat either, so she enjoyed the feeling for a moment.

"I know you will. I will be telling Kloe as well before I take my leave. I will be taking Celine with me too, so Tama will have to behave herself.", Emma answered.

"Haha, got it. You can send Rose my regards then.", I said, pulling my hand back.

"Mmm.", Emma. "I know you and Grandmother have had a thing or two without me, but it looks like you two don't want to talk about it quite just yet, and I won't force you to tell me either. The topic seems to be a bit sensitive, so until you want to tell me yourself, I won't push it. Just know what I've seen so far, especially back at the island, I have already been ready for that...other side of yours.", Emma replied, revealing a smile.

'She must be referring to my dhampir class when I dove my teeth into Rose's neck back then...', I thought to myself, only to nod my head at Emma.

"Got it. At least for myself I don't plan on doing much once we're back at the castle. Mostly sword training and studies to prepare for my entry into Jenis.", I said. "I'm sure Kloe will be doing the same.", I continued to say.

"Understood. Send a message through Tama once you're ready to start the trials, okay?", Emma asked me.

"Of course. That much I can do. It'll be quite hard to do a trial of a Divine Knight without a witch overseeing it from the Hexen Clan, haha.", I said, letting out a laugh.

"Hehe. I'll stay one or two days before I use the spirit path to warp back. I may need your assistance then to reach the village. It's still quite hard to do so by myself.", Emma said.

"I was wondering how you will get back. So it will be with that method then.", I said, nodding my head.

"Yup. Plus, is it possible to ask one more thing from you? I promise it won't take long.", Emma asked, only to have a smile bloom on her face.

Hearing that caused me to blink my eyes for a moment. Seeing me bewildered, my eyes turned wide seeing Emma take the chance to swerve her head into mine. It took me a second, but she took off her glasses and tilted her head a bit, only to plant her lips against mine. I felt a similar softness strike my lips, but it lasted only for a brief moment. Emma struck before I could finish my train of thought.

A red blush appeared on her cheeks soon after as I stood there dazed at Emma who just gave me a kiss.

"I won't back down against the others you know? Many may hold a spot in your heart, but keep some room for me too, okay?", Emma asked, only to turn around, and proceed back into the aircraft's cabin before I could speak to her again.

In my dazed stupor, I also heard a notification sound off inside my mind, which distracted me even further.

[Ding! Emma, a still young witch-in-training, has managed to steal her resolve to remain at Player's side. Thanks to Player's conviction, Emma now has a newfound path laid out before her. Favorability with Emma has reached its maximum.]

[Ding! As a result of reaching maximum favorability with Emma, a new parameter has been created for Player. Player will now be able to view Emma's [Love] Status. [Love] panel has been updated. Current available people who can now be viewed by Player in the [Love] panel: -Klaudia von Auslese, -Angelica Rogner, -Emma Millstein.]

*

Ships have started to set sail o.o

And this will probably be the last romance chapter for a while.

1 or 2 more chapters until the Vermillion Trials.

Also second best boy may or may not making his first appearance soon~