Chapter 250: Assignment
Giliath demands your power stones! Let's continue to try and get over 500!
************
Yet, as the group of four girls got on the trolley...
Back toward the entrance to Valflame Palace, two figures slowly emerged from the doors. One appeared to be an icy-blue haired woman, currently decked out in her gray uniform and had a military cap on over her head. A small yet powerful looking orbal pistol currently was held at her waist.
In front of her was a tall statured man, currently donning his dark grey-purple overcoat that stretched down to his legs. Even though a mere day has passed, it seemed his appearance had become even older, sporting a few more white strands of hair that streaked down the left side of his face. Yet his face was chiseled to perfection with a very tough exterior, and a sharp nose, making his gaze appear intimidating to anyone who looked at him.
It was now January 1st, 7:15AM of the Septian Calendar. Only a few minutes have passed since the four girls boarded the trolley, but more activity was lurking around the entrance of the palace. The guards' demeanor returned to normal after experiencing that little burst of killing intent, but seeing it was coming from some of the guests that came the night prior, they knew they couldn't disturb them. Thankfully their group left shortly, but they began to feel a different pressure, seeing this man now exiting the palace, together with the icy-blue haired woman.
"Are you sure you don't want to hang around for one or two more days, Your Excellency? Most of the RMP Officers are now on holiday leave to spend some time with their families. I'm mostly here to catch up on some slack I've neglected, but keeping your health in check always does one good.", The woman said, who was of course Claire. She currently had no officers with her at her side presently, she was alone, but still dressed in uniform since she was on duty during the holidays.
And well, it's not like she had much family to return to. She did have a cousin but she was not actively in contact with him, nor did she know of his whereabouts. To him, Claire was a stranger. As such, Claire often divulged in her work while others took time off to alleviate her stress.
But two could say the same for the man standing before her. He was Giliath, and he wore a smile after hearing that.
"Haha, in times like these one must be proactive, Claire. Still, you are aware of what you have been assigned to do while I am away on my travels, yes?", Giliath said, looking at Claire with a serious look. Claire nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Yes. I will be sure those girls stay protected. You have my word, Your Excellency.", Claire said, giving Giliath a salute.
"Good. Do be careful not to enter their perimeter. I was not expecting to feel such a short burst of killing intent. Don't underestimate them. It is more than likely that those girls will wander outside of Heimdallr for that training of theirs. Only intercept if it is life-threatening.", Giliath responded, causing Claire to nod her head.
"Yes. I know a couple of them, considering I've engaged in combat at their side. But do not worry, I will not engage unless I see an opportunity that arises. Still, may I ask, are you sure you want to leave now, and instead of after breakfast? Her Highness invited Liberl's prince and a couple others to have a meal. Should you not accompany them?", Claire wondered, tilting her head a bit as she asked Giliath.
"Unfortunately, not this time. Please give His Highness my regards later. I have a few destinations to pay a visit, one being Garrelia Fortress to observe the recently installed railway cannons to make sure they aren't in danger of malfunctioning. But before that, I plan to pay a visit to Roer's Institute of Technology, as well as the Reinford Group to talk of future business. Hopefully this will help the side task that I have been given too.", Giliath said, answering Claire's doubt. As he did, he reached out his palm, turning it upward.
Before Claire realized it, a tiny fairy-like figure began to materialize in Giliath's palm, sporting lustrous green-colored hair and translucent wings. Claire blinked her eyes seeing this pixie before her, since her mere existence was fading in and out, just like pixels of a computer.
"I almost forgot about you. But are you sure this is acceptable, Your Excellency? We don't even know if this little one can even leave Valflame Palace without His Highness.", Claire said, observing the small pixie who was slowly waking up. She was of course AI KeA, who was currently away from the Enigma II device that was still residing within Naoto's possession. She wasn't taken by force, however. Quite the opposite, actually.
"Which is why this is where the experimentation begins. His Highness gave me full support to see where this little one's limitations lay. So I will see if travelling far distances will be possible, on top of visiting the technology institute for further examination. I also have a personal place to stop by, so I will be gone for a good period of time. But when I return, you may get a new sibling in the Ironbloods, so do look forward to it.", Giliath responded with a rare smile, causing Claire to stare at him.
"Someone new is joining the Ironbloods?", Claire asked, with gaining interest in her eyes.
"Haha, I am not too sure, but that is the expected outcome. It will still depend on them. As for you, KeA, was it? I do look forward to working with you. Just know you will be apart from that Master of yours for a period of time. Is that satisfactory with you?", Giliath asked AI Kea. She nodded her tiny head, letting her wings flutter.
"Uh-uh. Master already informed me what was going on before letting me leave like this. I solely exist for Master, so if this helps him in any way, it will not go against my coding.", AI KeA said, nodding her tiny head.
"See?", Giliath retorted, looking back at Claire who was staring at the two. Claire could only shake her head.
"Well I can't argue anything on this matter, considering it's coming from a joint proposal between you two. I'll be sure to keep things here in check while you are away, Your Excellency.", Claire said, giving Giliath a salute.
"As I expect you will, Claire. As for those other two, Rufus quickly returned to the Albarea Mansion to deal with some family matters. That brat Lechter had recently returned to Liberl to continue his studies at Jenis, and is expected to complete his final year when His Highness enrolls, so I will have to leave the security in this place to you. When the evacuation plan reaches its D-day, please let me know.", Giliath said, giving one more order to Claire, causing Claire to nod her head.
"Understood. Then I wish you safe travels, Your Excellency. You too, little one.", Claire said, smiling at the little pixie before her.
"Uh-uh. It was nice to meet you!", AI KeA happily responded, only to vanish inside Giliath's clothing.
Claire then returned silent, calmly observing the retreating Giliath, only to step into a private orbal car, slowly returning to her icy demeanor that made it difficult for anyone to approach her.
As she observed silently at Dreichel's Plaza, she could see the statue that belonged to one of Erebonia's greatest Emperors to date. Even the Plaza was named after him. As she watched on, Claire saw the orbal car Giliath stepped into drive off into the distance with Vainqueur Street as its destination. In regards to the trolley from earlier, its destination was western Heimdallr, with the route that eventually connected its way to Ordis. Leeves was on the way, but presently, Thors Military Branch Campus was a thing that did not exist at this time. It was simply a town rich in folklore and trading, letting visitors take a rest as they continued their travels throughout western Erebonia.
Seeing Dreichel's Plaza mostly vacant now with its people now in their stores, operating their shops for the day, Claire began to utter to herself.
"His Excellency did give me the order to watch over those girls, but I did overhear them saying they plan to stop by a few bakeries before stepping out of Heimdallr...", Claire uttered to herself, ignoring the couple of guards still standing at the entrance of the bridge. "I am also surprised to see that count's daughter also decided to venture with them, but knowing their strength, I doubt her safety will be in any danger...", Claire continued to utter.
She then turned around, only to observe the giant vermillion palace, full of its splendor, before her.
"Her Highness did extend her invitation out to the few of us, and I am not one to turn down a free meal. It is going to get quite hectic in the coming month or two. It would be best not to overwork myself until then...", Claire continued to utter. Seeing that Giliath tasked her with the palace's security, that still fell in line with her duty, on top of keeping watch over the four girls that departed for the trolley. She knew she didn't have to immediately head out, so Claire opted for the latter, and slowly walked back inside. Breakfast was set to happen at 8AM, she knew Princess Alfin and the others were still likely getting ready, so she didn't make haste for once, enjoying her small stroll back inside the palace.
As for the two guards outside, seeing that they were finally left alone, they let out two small sighs of relief, since they no longer felt any sort of pressure they had felt moments before.