Chapter 196: Onward

Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try getting over 500!

*

Hiss...

A low hissing sound suddenly resounded in the air in what appeared to be a room of sorts. This sound followed a door automatically opening. If one looked closely at the window of this room, a sea of endless clouds could be seen drifting around outside. 

"So this is where you were, Angel of Slaughter.", A male's voice resounded, only to have a green haired boy who hadn't seem to age a day appear in the room, to which he currently saw a violet haired girl who seemed to be no older than seven or eight years old. Yet seeing this boy appear, Renne frowned. Seeing this, the boy couldn't help but chuckle, doing a motion of his hands.

"What, were you expecting the Bladelord here? Sadly, he isn't present on the Glorious.", The boy said as he chuckled.

"Oh shut it, Fool. I know he isn't. Big Brother Loewe isn't here. He has his own mission to attend to after all.", Renne said with a hint of scorn in her tone as he looked at the green haired boy. "And you seemed to not change a single bit since the island.", Renne said, squinting her eyes at the green haired boy.

"Are you saying you have?", The green haired boy said, revealing a grin as he said that. He was none other than Enforcer No. 0, Campanella the Fool. 

"I have people I care about now, so I would say yes to that question. Unlike you.", Renne retorted as she squinted her eyes at Campanella. It has been a while since the Fool last saw Renne. Not until she had completed her assignment in becoming the Angel of Slaughter, the latest Enforcer to Ouroboros. From there, he hadn't seen her since she was picked up from Nemeth Island a few years ago after raiding Paradise. 

To the Fool, she was still a little girl in his eyes, but it was obvious to him that she had grown in this time spent apart. She had been spending most of her time training with the Bladelord, and now that she had become Enforcer No. XV, the Angel of Slaughter, she was tasked with taking one of the four Tetracyclic Towers alongside the Bladelord, to which she had successfully accomplished. She now has her own will to travel about Liberl as well to stay by a certain prince's side.

But since then, she had accomplished her mission while the crown prince appeared to have gone into hiding again. Something that wasn't a first. She knew his plan well, so she figured it was time to operate what Ouroboros had tasked her to do, with the Bladelord overseeing it.

And now, some time had passed, and she was taken back upon the Glorious, Ouroboros's primary airship to where most of their operations took place in the shadows. This time spent had allowed Renne to calm her emotions down, giving Renne her own space to think about what she had done.

"Fair enough. It appeared the trial the tower placed upon you took quite a toll on your being, so it is good that you had some rest. We've no immediate attention now that the other three successfully captured their respective towers, so now we are just waiting for the last piece to fall into place to trigger the Gospel Plan. It will likely be quite some time for this final piece to act.", Campanella explained, allowing his tone to turn more serious. Seeing that, Renne nodded her head.

"Yes. I do realize what the tower implicated on me now. I didn't think I would experience such a blunder, but it was a good experience nonetheless. This rest has given me time to reflect on it.", Renne said, revealing a smile. 

"All's well that ends well, right? You are still quite young and have a lot of chances to experience a lot of things, unlike me, who is bound by his role as an observer. With the capture of the towers, we've now some free time on our hands. Are you sure you wish to remain by His Highness's side until the Gospel Plan comes to fruition?", Campanella asked, looking at the small violet haired girl before him.

Hearing that, Renne simply nodded her head as a smile bloomed on her face.

"Yes. While I do appreciate how much Big Brother Loewe has done while overseeing my training, Big Brother Naoto is the reason for my existence. It wouldn't be right if I weren't by his side. You've located him, haven't you, Fool?", Renne happily responded. Campanella nodded at Renne's question, affirming her words.

"I see. It it as you say. After that little outburst we have indeed located His Highness's position. It appears he is on track to the capital of Erebonia.", Campanella said, answering Renne's question.

"The capital of Erebonia? Isn't that where the trial is to take place?", Renne asked with interest.

"It is. His Highness is apparently posing as a military student and from Thors no less now. I can only take a guess, but with His Highness on a journey in Erebonia, I can only assume it is preparations for him to take part in the trial at the palace. I am quite curious to see how that will turn out. Will the Infernal Castle rise up from its ashes?", Campanella answered, wondering the answer to that question.

"Mmm.", Renne responded, nodding her head. "It does appear the path is quite clear now, at least. But still, posing as students? If Big Brother is really doing such a thing, I wonder, should I partake in that play?", Renne mused to herself.

"Oh? Now there will be a sight to see, an enforcer posing as a student. It could do quite well for reconnaissance.", Campanella responded with a playful grin.

"Teehee, right? And there just so happens to have a school conveniently placed in Erebonia's capital.", Renne responded with a playful grin.

"Shall I draft up some enrollment papers to St. Astraia then?", Campanella asked Renne.

"Please do. And if I recall correctly, Big Brother Naoto is acquainted with a couple girls attending that academy, so I wonder if I'll get a chance to meet them.", Renne wondered as she nodded her head. Hearing this caused Campanella to laugh.

"Hahaha, no doubt. St. Astraia isn't very big and it's an all girls' school, so the chance is high, I'd say. Your age fits quite well to pose as a student there. I will go get the enrollment papers ready and call for you when we have reached the capital.", Campanella said, giving a light bow at Renne.

Just like that, Campanella didn't say anything more, and left the room. Renne was alone once more, and she shifted her position back to where the window was. This allowed Renne to get a good view outside, calmly observing the rolling clouds that didn't seem to end.

The path for Renne was clear now. She will no longer reside in Liberl for the present. Until she deems its fine that Naoto's business in Erebonia finishes, she will stay in the shadows nearby, only to enroll at the ever popular school in the capital city. Renne would not know how much time will pass once her school life begins, but nonetheless, she will be looking forward to it.

A new determined look appeared in her eyes as Renne's thoughts ended, only to observe the rolling clouds in the distance in silence while a smile crept on her face.