Chapter 173: Tampered

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

As Renne took Tita who was still flustered about coming across another leading disciple of the Epstein Foundation with Erika making inward comments about how cute she was, things were getting pretty hectic back at the castle again, despite Naoto wanting to enjoy a nice afternoon, not wanting to worry about much.

Even though the mission had come and gone for me, it appears what Professor Erika did as an orbal engineer to create the Enigma II was enough for Professor Schmidt here to pay a personal visit, but I didn't think he actually would. Moreover, he just strutted on inside, acting as if the castle was his own house.

While I could have the guards throw him out there was no way I would try to do so, considering that who in front of me was now one of the leading figures in the technology race's current standing, Professor Schmidt, one of the three disciples of the former engineer, who created the Epstein Foundation.

Still, if I recall, this is my first time actually meeting Professor Schmidt in person. Just hearing him speak like this upfront I can already tell he's still the same old giant ass he was in the games. Only caring about striving for himself and his research without caring much for others.

For that latter part though, I have a feeling at least that has changed, even if it was just slightly.

After all, with Tio being introduced to the Epstein Foundation at such an early age to where it would have normally happened a few years later down the line, just him bringing Tio here alone means he's already opening up to her. I do wonder if he will also make Tita a candidate as well to become his disciple once she reaches school at the branch academy.

With that thought though, time seemed to have slowed down enough even if it was just for a moment for me to witness a heartfelt smile from Tio while giving me a big hug, despite it not lasting long. Compared to us spending that time down in that cave, her health has vastly improved after seeing her in person. Probably working alongside others at the Epstein Foundation likely contributed to Tio's rehab. But with Tio being in Crossbell now, aside from her little trip here, she is probably visiting St. Ursula for regular check ups as well. Since Tio is here now, I should probably inform her as well of my intent of going there, but I'll do that later.

Because a certain Professor seems to have an impatient mind right now, probably because the people who he considered his rivals were working here not too long ago.

I could only shrug Professor Schmidt's current behavior off. It was very possible he came across both Erika and Tita along the way here. It was nice to see Tita making friends with Renne, since I saw Renne already make the decision to go out exploring Grancel City for the remainder of the day. Looks like she'll have a new friend to accompany her, at least for how long the Russells are staying in Grancel.

At least those who were enjoying a meal right now were mostly done and had bellies stuffed by the time that guard arrived to announce Professor Schmidt's and Tio's arrival. Tio ended her hug while feeling happy. But seeing the person who was on video call during the network setup, the other girls became amused seeing the petite girl now in person before me.

But to not try and make Professor Schmidt mad, we decided to conclude the meal that we had. It was already early afternoon since Ennea and I took most of the day to recuperate from last night, which caused Angelica to laze around most of the day with Kloe handling matters of the castle alongside her grandmother.

And seeing as he was now inside Grancel Castle, Professor Schmidt did express interest in seeing how the networking tests were performed from this side, considering he was still in the main terminal area of likely IBC's lower floors back in Crossbell City when the tests happened. I wouldn't try to keep him in our private quarters though, considering it was property of the royal family. Aside from the girls and family, I was pretty selective of who could enter our room.

I wanted to remain on Professor Schmidt's good side though, so I could only suck it up and take him to where Professor Erika placed the completed Enigma II. So we dismissed the guards letting them know everything was fine, and Grandmother retreated to continue her duties for the day.

Angelica knew well that she lazed around for most of the day so she wanted to get some exercise in. She went out and into the city. To be honest, she was a Taito practitioner, studying alongside Kilika. She wasn't a slouch when it comes to martial arts. Aside from just lounging around the castle, she often sought out hunting monsters in her free time. It wouldn't be a bad idea for her to consider joining the Bracer line of business, since they never have a shortness of monster hunting quests.

Either way, it was just Ennea, Tio and I along with Professor Schmidt now.

"I see this place hasn't changed in the slightest.", Professor Schmidt decided to say as we made our way toward the terrace. Hearing him say that, I raised my eyebrows a bit.

"Well, considering your age. It wouldn't be out of question for a reputable engineer like yourself to visit Liberl's royal family at least once or twice.", I mused after hearing Professor Schmidt say that.

"Only a couple times, well before that boorish war. Mostly during business, but my interest mostly lays what lies beneath this place.", Professor Schmidt continued to say.

"Oh, you mean the Shining Ring?", I decided to say revealing a grin.

Well, considering one of Professor Schmidt's stature of being one of the leading figures behind the orbal revolution alongside Epstein himself, surely he would know a good secret or two when it came to orbments. The Shining Ring was Liberl's treasure. Most people didn't know of its existence that lied beneath the castle.

"Of course. There is no other meaning that I am referring to. It is thanks to the Shining Ring that Liberl still stands today. It is one of the remaining Sept-Terrions that have not yet perished on this land.", Professor Schmidt simply answered.

"..Are you sure its alright telling one of the disciples of the Epstein Foundation this, Brother? You know this is a national secret.", Kloe said, revealing a frown. She too had come to learn certain pieces of information thanks to being a princess of this kingdom. She also knows about how Liberl was founded, and the existence of the Space Sept-Terrion.

It had a more common name though that others knew about in classified books.

The Aureole.

"Hmm, if it is worry you have, you can be at ease, as I have no desire to hold the power of what is beneath this land. Should there ever come a time to where its power can be observed, that is all that I will request of you. Observing powers of a Sept-Terrion will greatly help the development of orbments that we have been researching.", Professor Schmidt said, answering Kloe, which caused her to blink her eyes at him.

"Note taken.", I said, nodding my head at Professor Schmidt's words. He probably didn't know the events that were about to unfold on this country, since the sky games were set to happen in just a mere two to three years time. The outcome of that revealed the existence of the Shining Ring to the general public. Thankfully after hearing Professor Schmidt converse about it, if there was a chance, he merely wished to see how its powers worked.

A scientist at heart with a desire for knowledge. I can get behind that.

"You must know about the Holy Beast then. Do you have an interest in meeting Ragnard?", I decided to ask him as well. After all, since the Shining Ring is still in existence, then that would mean the Holy Beast assigned to protect it also still lives to this day.

Another Holy Beast that still lived to day was a certain doggo. Everyone's favorite wolf, Zeit. He protected the land of Crossbell, while Ragnard, who was a freaking dragon, protected Liberl. We too have come to learn of Ragnard's existence. During some conversations I've had with Cassius in the past as well, I've come to learn that he had personally sent Ragnard a duel before. While knowing that, I decided to ask

"I do not. The Holy Beasts were designed with but a single task at hand. I do not see much purpose in studying them, unlike the powers the Sept-Terrion can exhibit.", Professor Schmidt responded me, which caused me to be a bit surprised as I saw him shake his head.

"I see. Well he is likely in slumber at present, but should you express desire otherwise, I can probably inform him.", I responded.

"Hmm, I shall take that to memory for now. I at least know my standing too, so if you do not with my presence beyond here, I do not mind waiting.", Professor Schmidt said as we saw the five of us arrive in the second part of the castle to where our room was.

"Nah, If you've come across Professor Erika before this then you probably have interest in seeing how I managed to acquire a master quartz since they aren't even on the shipping line yet. I'll let you come in to have a look at the Enigma II, but I also want a favor.", I decided to say.

"You know I do not grant favors easily.", Professor Schmidt said as he squinted his eyes.

"Yes. Which is why I will give you one of those master quartz just like I did Professor Erika. I want you to analyze its contents and see if if is any different to the prototypes you've been creating.", I said in a more serious tone.

"A favor to analyze a master quartz's structure of unknown origin? Accepted.", Professor Schmidt decided.

"I knew that'd be up your alley.", I smiled, hearing Professor Schmidt acknowledge my request.

After we finished saying that, I brought us inside our room, to which his gaze was immediately drawn toward the left corner in the back. He stayed silent as he took a mental note of the computer setup I basically had. He decided to stay near the entrance, allowing me to retrieve a master quartz box. Though unlike with Professor Erika, I opened this third one before anything else, as I didn't want to show Professor Schmidt how my reward boxes worked. Unlike Professor Erika he would definitely question me to no end.

Instead, I grabbed the Enigma II and presented it, along with a new master quartz to Professor Schmidt. He raised his eyes for a moment before taking them, and dismissed himself from our room. Tio was surprised to see a model of a very early prototype successfully created before her, but seeing it was Professor Schmidt's own design, she knew not to question it.

Seeing that it was just us four in the room now, Tio looked back at me with a relatively deadpan look.

"It seems the Professor is gone now. What do you want to do now, Naoto?", Tio decided to ask as she blinked her eyes at me.

"Well, thanks to a certain someone ruining our fun earlier, my mood has died down a bit and we were able to get some things on track. If the Professor says the model checks out, I'll likely take it out for combat tests after. But for now, since you're here, I can at least tell you what I plan to do next, and we can also catch up with what you've been doing too?", I asked Tio.

"Mmm. I'd like that.", Tio happily responded me with a nod of her head.

However. At the time of us discussing in our private quarters like this, neither did the Professor nor I know that that Enigma II that had been created during the night was tampered with by an unexpected person during my sleep the night prior.

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[Insert picture of Ragnard here]

[Insert picture of Zeit here]