Chapter 204: The Quartet Has Evolved

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

*

Some time later.

The sun began its descent. A fiery glow soon enveloped all of Heimdallr. The sunset here was much more prominent compared to other places as a result of most of its buildings being dyed in crimson. Still, its citizens were already used to such sunsets. At the very least, it was a good signal for those who worked in the day to start wrapping up while those who worked at night to wake up and start their shifts.

All the while, in one area of Heimdallr, the Sankt District, the sound of a school bell could be heard echoing throughout the courtyard. Unlike most schools, this school was gated, and had security guards that guarded this school. For a good reason, considering this was where most noble daughters attended school here in Heimdallr. It wasn't restricted outside that though, commoners were welcomed to enroll in the school, should they express their desire to do so.

As the school bell dinged the final bell of the day, the two main doors that lead into the giant building swung wide open. One girl after another started to exit the school, all wearing the same St. Astraia school uniform. A black dress and a black beret.

Once the first set of girls departed, making their way to the tram to head on home to wherever their homes were located, before long a group of three girls appeared. One of the three girls sported silky golden blonde hair, one with black-indigo hair, and the third girl who sported olive-green hair. As for the latter, a worried look could currently be seen in her eyes as she let out a sigh.

"It really is a shame Lif can't be with us right now, but I do understand the importance that family has over school studies.", The olive-green haired girl started to say with a look of worry in her eyes.

"That is very true, Musse. And if I recall, your father used to be quite close with the Bartholomeus House. I didn't think they'd order a house arrest like that.", The indigo-black haired girl said. These two were of course Musse and Elise. As for the third girl, she was none other than Princess Alfin. It has been a couple years since Naoto had seen her last, not since her brief visit to Liberl's Grancel City to experience the day there. Right now, Musse is mostly known as Mildine to others if she decides to introduce herself, but for those close friends like Elise and Alfin are, Musse allows them to call herself her pet name she used as a child.

And as a child, both Musse and Lif got along quite well since they even shared play dates together at times, but it appeared Lif was currently not with the three, likely due to the happenings currently taking place back in Remiferia.

"Well, I did have Brother look into it a bit at what's currently happening back at the Bartholomeus House. It seems their first prince hasn't been up to any good lately and the second prince is trying to usurp his position. I can only assume they called Lif back to make sure and keep an eye out on her. The last thing they would want is their first princess to be out and about in a foreign country.", Alfin said, only to cradle her hand into her chin with a hint of worry in her eyes as well.

"...You wouldn't be talking about Uncle Bartholomeus now, would you?", A fourth voice suddenly said, calling out to the three. This caused Princess Alfin, Elise, and Musse to halt their walking, only to turn around to where the voice came from. Before long, they saw two more girls step out of the front entrance, both wearing the St. Astraia's uniform as well. One sported lilac colored hair while the other had violet hair, who appeared a year or two younger than the one who asked that question.

Seeing these two girls arrive, a look of interest appeared in Elise's eyes.

"You two are the recent transfer students...", Elise responded, welcoming the two. Princess Alfin and Musse were interested as well. They didn't think they would come across someone who was acquainted with the Bartholomeus House like Musse was. And seeing her address one of the princes as Uncle, to them, it seemed pretty close.

"We sure are. You introduced yourself as Sherryl Sky, didn't you?", Princess Alfin asked as she greeted Sherryl with a smile.

"Yes. I am honored for Erebonia's treasure to remember me.", Sherryl happily responded as she looked toward Princess Alfin.

"I didn't think both of our new transfer students would be acquainted with each other prior to enrolling.", Musse also said with a smile as she looked toward the violet haired girl. She was Renne of course, and after their current day finished at St. Astraia, the two decided to leave together. They didn't think they would catch Princess Alfin, Elise and Musse together, on top of them talking about the Bartholomeus House.

"Well, we became friends a couple years back, but we have split ways since. I didn't think we'd see each other enrolling in St. Astraia though.", Renne answered as she smiled.

"Ain't that the truth. Still, if what you three said is true, did House Bartholomeus really call for a house arrest?", Sherryl said as she had worry in her eyes.

"I'm afraid so. It seems you are acquainted with Remiferia's royal family?", Princess Alfin said, looking at Sherryl. Sherryl nodded her head.

"Yes. Our grandparents were in service of the Bartholomeus House before we moved over to Crossbell. The window was small but I was able to meet Her Highness once or twice as a child.", Sherryl said with a smile. Hearing that, Musse's eyes lit up as she happily clapped her hands.

"I was wondering why the Sky family name was starting to sound familiar to me...You're Jillian's younger sister, aren't you? Lif did talk about how Jillian had a younger sister once or twice. Still, that's a bit strange...Now that I'm recalling this matter, I remember Lif saying that a tragedy befell Jillian's younger sister. Perhaps that rumor was false after all?", Musse mused to herself, trying to probe what happened in the past.

Yet as Musse asked that, Sherryl only looked back toward Renne.

"How much should we tell them, Renne?", Sherryl asked, wondering as she looked toward Renne. Renne only raised her hand a bit as she began to answer.

"It's up to you really. I'm fine with it being either way.", Renne said, answering Sherryl.

"So maybe something happened after all?", Elise asked, wondering herself. Sherryl stayed quiet for a brief moment, but she eventually nodded her head, confirming everyone's doubt.

"It is true that something happened. I am not sure how much Her Highness has brought it up, but for now, can you guys keep this a secret? Big Sister doesn't exactly know about my whereabouts right now...", Sherryl answered as she scratched her cheek. Hearing that though, Musse let out a giggle.

"Hehe, oh I love me a good secret or two.", Musse happily responded, which caused Sherryl to stare at her.

"Musse...", Elise said, letting out a sigh as she shook her head after that remark.

"Well, I don't mind it personally. Some things can't be rushed after all. Still, since you already know Lif Sherryl, I don't why we can't be friends after this.", Princess Alfin happily responded after clapping her hands.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea...", Elise also said with a smile.

"Is it really alright for us to become friends like this?", Sherryl happily responded as well, letting her mood lift a bit.

"Oh please, it's like we're friends already seeing you know Lif. Aside from Sherryl here though, I just can't place my finger on it. Where do you fit in all of this?", Musse asked as she looked back toward Renne.

Hearing that, Renne couldn't help but smile and let out a giggle of her own.

"I told you, didn't I? I'm Sherryl's friend. It was thanks to that we became friends to begin with. We haven't seen each other for the last couple years though.", Renne explained a bit.

"I see. More friends the merrier as they say. We were a group of four, but with Lif under house arrest now, I guess it will be a group of five huh?", Princess Alfin said, wondering to herself.

"That looks like it. I didn't think we'd get to meet one of Lif's acquaintances here of all places. Still, please do treat us kindly.', Elise said with a more formal tone.

"Likewise.", Sherryl said, nodding her head as well.

Seeing this happen, Renne smiled but resumed quiet again, not showing much emotion. It would seem that she, along with Sherryl, had more importance now here in St. Astraia than she had previously guessed, and as a result of Sherryl's background of being part of the Sky family no less. While most of the Sky family resides in Crossbell now, there was a time where their family were servants to the Bartholomeus House. As for the girl Lif they were referring to, she was Lifthrasir von Bartholomeus, first princess of the Bartholomeus House, members of the royal family that resided in Remiferia. 

Right now, despite being known as the most advanced nation in all of Zemuria for issuing medical treatment, Remiferia isn't so hot right now. They were currently dealing with an internal bio-terrorist attack to try and shake their foundations. Despite trying to collude with the enemy, the crown prince only saw his own death at their hands, being poisoned no less, so right now, the second prince, Albert von Bartholomeus, is trying to clean things up, to which he would eventually start sitting on the throne as the first prince, only to take over the crown prince who perished.

While the latter has yet to happen, House Bartholomeus issued a House Arrest to the members of the royal family. Unfortunately, that meant Lif had to return home for the present.

But in Lif's place, Princess Alfin had met two new friends, Renne and Sherryl, and their group rose to a group of five. Eventually, when Lif is able to return, that will become a group of six.

Princess Alfin found the world quite small, as she was not expecting to come across an acquaintance of one of her friends like that. Still, perhaps it was good for these five girls to become friends with each other. After all, it would be from here, but Renne and Sherryl would now have the backing of Erebonia's treasure, the first princess. If they ever would get pestered or harassed by other noble daughters during their stay at St. Astraia, they now had a backing. Renne figured it was a good investment in becoming friends with Princess Alfin.

Not to mention that Renne knew that Princess Alfin was already quite good friends with Naoto after she had come to learn of it while staying inside Grancel Castle for a bit. Renne decided to protect Naoto from the sidelines should anything ever turn the wrong way during her stay at St. Astraia while being out of hand's reach. Right now, Naoto didn't know where Renne's current position was, but while having that sentiment, Renne also figured it would do well to protect Princess Alfin, if trouble ever went her way.

On top of that, thanks to receiving word from Campanella, Renne knew Naoto was currently on the way to Heimdallr. Thanks to having Sherryl here, Renne informed her as well, but it was still up to Sherryl if she would decide to take any action after seeing Naoto is coming to Heimdallr. Either way,  Renne and Sherryl had officially become friends with Princess Alfin's group, which consisted of Musse and Elise, and eventually Lif.