Chapter 166: Squire
Giliath demands your power stones!
*
Some time later.
As a certain craftsman started to look back on the time he had spent with likely some of the only family he could actually call family, it could be seen as rather busy in another part of the continent of Zemuria.
In particular, the holy capital of the Septian Church, Arteria. It was pretty lively in a certain part of the capital city. It was now the end of summer, but a rather beautiful girl who seemed to be around thirteen years of age couldn't help but let out a sigh as the wind fluttered her uniform.
Well, one wouldn't call it a school uniform anymore apart from the black beret she was wearing on her head, one that looked very similar to the schoolgirls who wore a beret at St. Astraia back in Heimdallr.
Aside from the beret, this silver-haired girl could now be seen wearing a church sister's robe over a white skirt. Aside from the emblem of the church currently around her neck as a necklace, a sheathed sword, as well as a sheathed pistol could be seen on this beautiful girl's waist. Despite having such a welcoming appearance as a church sister, one mustn't underestimate how she appeared right now. After all, aside from going to Middle School here after it was approved by the boarding school, a certain someone reached an invitation out to her.
She had undergone combat training as a newly enrolled Squire to the Congregation of the Sacraments. Unless one knew a contact within this division of the Church, they would not be able to join as easily as one could to the Papal Guard, or the Congregation for Divine Worship. Divine Worship held authority to the many churches built across Zemuria, while the Sacraments were tasked with a very specific goal in mind.
And that was the retrieval of Artifacts. Working alongside the Dominions, these members of the Church would seek out Artifacts to bring them back into the Church, so that they wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. Artifacts were items blessed by the goddess herself, so the Church always tried to make sure that they were retrieved at all costs. As this girl was now part of the Sacraments, the emblem around her deck symbolized the division she was now a part of.
This silver-haired girl couldn't be seen alone as she could currently be seen at a landing port, waiting to depart. A green-white haired man who had a crossbow on his back, as well as a red haired sister who was dressed in similar clothing could be seen in front of the girl as other passengers began to board an orbal passenger ship.
"Has it really been four years since I started Middle School here? Time sure flies huh?", The silver-haired girl happily said to the two before her.
"It sure has. Be careful not to lose the emblem alright? That badge acts as both yer right to bear arms in an open space, as well as yer identification to our affiliation. Yer going to be heading back to a civilian zone, ya may receive unwanted trouble if ya happen to misplace it by accident.", The green haired man who seemed to be dressed in a more fancy priest robe than the two sisters beside him said in a serious tone.
"Right, I mustn't forget how important this badge is to me now. I'm sure Grandfather will be surprised seeing that I've joined the Church, but I really do appreciate the help you've given, Kevin, Ries.", The silver-haired girl happily said with a smile to the two.
"Haha, it is no problem. Yer part of the Sacraments now, Elie, so ya will definitely be seein' more of us in the coming future. It should do ya well to get acquainted with the other Dominions down the line too, but most of 'em are away right now. We don't have any active mission either right now, so yer set to head back to Crossbell, yea?", Kevin decided to ask the silver-haired girl, who was none other than the same silver-haired girl that Naoto was able to catch a glimpse of four to five years ago while sailing on the waters of Calvard. It was none other than Elie MacDowell, who was the granddaughter of the still current mayor of Crossbell City.
Back then, Elie received an offer to study abroad at one of Arteria's most famous boarding schools. She had successfully graduated since then, and also resolved herself to join the Church to where she successfully trained to become a Squire, and got acquainted with Kevin and Ries during it. Yet during that time, Elie saw Kevin rise up to one of the Dominion's seats, after awakening his own stigma about a year ago. Stigmas were still new to Elie but it seemed not everyone can acquire one, she hadn't much thought of what they could do.
"That's right. My parents have already finished filing their divorce, so family-wise it's more stable and I can stay in Crossbell for a while. I plan to help Grandfather with some administrative duties for a year before heading to Liberl.", Elie said as happily nodded her head.
"Still a bit surprisin' to hear that Dean at Jenis gave you an exception to continue yer studies there. No doubt that guy will be happy about it too.", Kevin said, nodding his head at Elie's words.
"Naoto will surely be surprised. I plan to study there for at least one year. He should be set to enroll when I start too, so we'll be sharing our freshman year together.", Elie happily responded. Yet once Elie brought up that name, Kevin's eyes turned slightly more serious.
"Ya sure ya want to go that route though? Yer aware that the makings of that guy's royal harem nas been brought to light. It was even approved by the Queen herself.", Kevin said in a more serious tone. Seeing him become serious, Elie's eyes also turned serious.
"Oh trust me, I am very well informed of that matter. I am quite curious to meet like-minded individuals. I doubt I'm the only one who likes him.", Elie responded with anticipation in her eyes.
"Just don't be a sourpuss if yer feelings get crushed, 'kay? The Septian Church will continue its way of doing things regardless of such a situation.", Kevin said, shrugging his shoulders after he heard Elie answer.
"Like you know the way the heart works.", Ries retorted after staying quiet while listening to the two of them speak.
"Sheesh. I know ya missed breakfast to see off Elie I promise we'll get a bite to eat soon.", Kevin retorted Ries who was next to him after hearing Ries act a bit grumpy.
"Hehe, at least you two never change.", Elie responded with a giggle.
"Whatever. It seems ya are dead set on doin' that, so we won't stop ya. Hopefully ya are aware of what recently happened to him, no?", Kevin continued to ask Elie, which caused her to blink her eyes.
"You mean the matter of Naoto going to St. Ursula?", Elie asked.
"Yea, exactly that. Seems him goin' there caused a pretty big ruckus to the doctors at the hospital, something about receiving a giant wound. But to me, that isn't the interestin' part. Fights happen all the time, regardless of where yer at. But after gettin' a checkup there, His Highness just went poof. Gone without a trace.", Kevin continued to explain, which caused Elie's eyes to turn wide.
"They didn't mention about Naoto going missing...", Elie responded with her eyes turning wide after Kevin said that.
"That's 'cause it's bein' kept under wraps right now. If the public learned that Liberl's Crown Prince up and vanished like that, it would definitely stir some chaos among its citizens. I am sure the royal family is flippin' tables right now trying to find 'im. From what I could tell on the matter, His Highness seemed to want nobody to follow him, after causing such a stunt.", Kevin continued to explain, also wondering what exactly happened to cause Naoto to suddenly vanish from the castle like that. "If anything, the doctors' report said he was pretty shook up.", Kevin said, shrugging his shoulders not knowing much more of the matter.
But there was one thing that had seen some light shed as Kevin and Elie continued to talk for a few moments before boarding her orbal passenger ship for departure.
The disappearance of Liberl's Crown Prince.
Not sought through violence, in the middle of the night, Naoto did indeed resolve himself after combating Ace, only to realize he did not see himself that he was strong enough to venture into whatever the future had in store for him.
Quickly realizing that, Naoto steeled his resolve, and made the decision to quietly leave in the middle of the night, not wanting ro raise awareness to others.
Naoto had decided to set forth on a journey with the aim to strengthen not only his body, but his will to combat whatever that may get thrown at him in the upcoming trials. And not just the trials, he hadn't a clue what would happen in the future.
On top of that, it seems the news of Liberl's Crown Prince disappearance was already starting to spread. Far enough to where the Septian Church got a hold of it. Thankfully people were trying to keep it under wraps, as Kevin had previously mentioned.
After Kevin mentioned that, Elie couldn't help but frown as she heard the final boarding call for her orbal airliner.
"Naoto...", Elie uttered, wondering where exactly he had gone to.
"Well, no use cryin' 'bout it now, since it's already happened. With any luck, he'll return once ya two are ready to enroll at Jenis.", Kevin said, urging Elie to board the airliner. "Don't want ya to miss yer ride home. Take care alright, Elie?", Kevin asked.
"Sure can do. Once again, thanks for the help these last couple of years getting me situated here in Arteria. If a mission does call to where I'm needed, don't hesitate to give a shout.", Elie said with a smile.
"Got it.", Kevin said, only to wave his hand at Elie, as did Ries, whose stomach had started to growl even more after seeing how much time had passed. That caused Elie to giggle again as she made her way to board her airliner. Just like that, Elie vanished from sight.
Kevin saw he was now alone with Ries, wondering what would come at him next. It was definitely a shocker to them that his friend would suddenly vanish, but considering they had to meet for that trial of his, no doubt Kevin knew Naoto will make a return. After all, he was invited to be part of that group to explore those trial grounds together. Kevin couldn't help but have anticipation appear in his eyes for when the time comes.
As for the present though, Kevin had a certain stomach to satisfy, which was Ries's. His wallet was already starting to cry tears just thinking about it.