265 Chapter 263: Glorious

Will increase chapter frequency again. Apologies if February releases were low, just consumed at work. It's at a more normal pace again.

Giliath demands your power stones, let's try to get over 500 this week!

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"Sorry for putting you through this, Musse.", Emma suddenly said, only to enter a crouching motion.

"Eh?", Musse tried to respond, but couldn't finish her sentence before she saw Emma crouch down. In the next moment, Emma vanished from her current position and initiated a jump. She jumped right down next to Musse, reaching her right arm outward, only to grab onto Musse's body in an attempt to hold her. Effortlessly, Musse soon found herself floating in the air, but Emma didn't cast a spell for this, she just did a large jump upward just like Renne. She made it seem easy, but Musse was surprised seeing a girl a couple years older than her carry a girl and jump this high into the air, landing on the empty hand that wasn't occupied.

Seeing Emma go through the motions just like Renne did, occupying Pater-Mater's other hand, Fie followed suit and joined where Renne was, leaving the four girls split into two. Pater-Mater's hands were of course large enough to hold them, leaving plenty of space behind.

"We're really doing this, aren't we?", Musse retorted, feeling Pater-Mater's metal frame beneath her feet. She could see the ground was quite far away now. Renne revealed a playful smile hearing that.

"Hehe, I told you, didn't I? Come, we can't keep the others waiting. I am not sure if you'd join them or remain under His Highness's wing, but regardless, we can test your combat aptitude. Or are you going to remain a feeble noble girl?", Renne replied with a giggle as she looked at the green haired girl, who definitely appeared to be the weakest of the four.

Musse had received self-defense training thanks to her noble lineage and received sharpshooting training outside of her studies at St. Astraia, but her combat training wouldn't officially take place until she enrolls at Thors Military Branch Campus several more years into the future, and that wouldn't happen until Rean became a teacher himself at Thors. Presently, Musse was still just a nine year old girl at this point, though she would soon become ten years of age next month.

"Where will that be exactly?", Emma said, releasing Musse's hand. As Musse got her bearing, Emma took this time to cast another spell to ease the wind resistance around them. Since Pater-Mater will be flying directly upward, Musse probably wasn't used to feeling such intense wind, so she decided to cast that spell. Musse found it intriguing listening to a language that was foreign to her.

"It'll make sense once we arrive on the deck. Pater-Mater, everyone's secured, so let's go up.", Renne said, turning toward Pater-Mater again. His eyes glowed red as if he reacted to Renne's command. Musse took the time to look down, and saw the thrusters on his back begin to ignite. Just like that, Pater-Mater's frame lifted up off the ground, letting it fly up vertically into the clouds.

"This is quite spectacular...", Musse uttered, seeing them fly through the clouds in the sky.

"Sure is. Didn't know you had this guy, Renne. Flying isn't all he can do though, is it?", Fie asked, seeing the clouds pass through them. Yet thanks to Emma's spell, they felt nothing as they passed through the clouds.

"Nope. Pater-Mater is capable of many other things, though I don't think I'll be bringing him to where we will be going. Only has backup in case something goes unexpectedly.", Renne said, wondering to herself.

In the next moment or two, thanks to Pater-Mater's speed, they soon broke through an opening. It didn't take long for a rather gigantic object floating in the sky to appear into view. Thanks to it being surrounded by clouds, it wasn't visible to the land below them. It was a giant red orbal ship flying standstill in the air. Musse's eyes turned wide seeing this large aircraft. Seeing Musse react like this, Renne turned around and observed the green haired girl again.

"Welcome to the Glorious, Musse.", Renne said, officially welcoming Musse. As for Musse, she just had a blank stare seeing the gigantic yet imposing red ship floating still before her. To date in the Trailsverse, it was the largest construct that freely floated in the skies. A technological feat in itself.

The only other construct that would ever get close to comparison of the Glorious would be the Pentagruel, which would make its debut during the October War in the next couple years. Its length was exactly the same as the Glorious, spanning just a tad over two hundred and fifty meters.

Imagine placing two football fields together, and adding an extra third to it. That's how big the Glorious was from helm to helm. It was very similar to modern day battleships, but much more technologically advanced, considering well, it could fly in the sky on orbal energy alone. That aspect was one of the key beauties of the Trailsverse, creating large constructs like this that would otherwise be impossible back in Naoto's previous life.

Adding mechanical dolls to the mix was just the icing on the cake.

"I haven't been back on here in a good minute. Not since you dropped me off with Dad from the island. Glad to see this ship hasn't changed. Didn't expect to see it right outside of Heimdallr though.", Fie said, putting her hands behind her head, enjoying the scene before her.

"I'm honestly surprised too. What has Ouroboros been up too lately? I do wonder if Teacher is on board too, I still need to thank her for delivering that training.", Emma said, also looking at the Glorious.

"Teacher?", Renne uttered, confused by what Emma said there, but quickly realized shortly after. "Oh right, I almost forgot the Steel Maiden took you under her wing. It makes me wonder how you fare against other Stahlritter now. I heard you could keep up the pace with Duvalie, the Steel Maiden's latest recruit.", Renne responded with a smile. Hearing that caused Emma to scratch her cheek.

"Oh you needn't compare me to those three. I am grateful that I could be at Duvalie's side during the training we had this last year, but I am still far in terms of the strength they wield.", Emma responded.

"Don't sell yourself short, Emma. It's not like the Steel Maiden acknowledges just anyone.", Renne tried to say, backing up Emma in terms of her strength. She had undergone quite the adventure this last year, going around not only Erebonia but to other places with the Stahlritter to hone her combat expertise, despite still being thirteen years old. Unlike other girls, we was a witch, and wandered out of her village with Roselia's approval, so she was equivalent to one of those wandering witches presently. She was trying to absorb as everything as she could.

And Emma just happened to get aligned to Ouroboros, thanks to sharing a connection with Naoto. It's not like she was an Enforcer or anything, she still wasn't tied down like that compared to the Steel Maiden and the others. And hearing Renne say that caused Emma to smile. As for Fie though, she glanced toward a specific area on Emma's body. To be more specific, her chest.

"Well, I can definitely think of one area that has grown since I joined you on that training excursion, Emma.", Fie said with a deadpan look in her eyes. It took a moment to realize where Fie was currently looking at, but once Emma realized it, a blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Fie!", Emma retorted Fie, causing Fie to laugh.

"Hehe, either way, we'll go through another training of sorts, so if there are any particular skills you want to improve on, now would be the time to do so. I just have to add this little stray cat we picked up along the way into our plan~", Renne giggled with a playful smile appearing over her lips.

"And this ship is real too, isn't it?", Musse retorted after Renne said that.

"A lot of firsts for you, isn't it, Musse? Your identity as a simple noble girl will get tossed away the moment you step onto the Glorious. But to formally make your acquaintance...", Renne began to say, drawing Musse's attention toward her again. Musse just stared at Renne doing a curtsy of her black skirt, since she was still wearing the St. Astraia's uniform. Though unlike Emma and Fie, she was an actual student there, at least for the moment. Even though they were heading up toward the Glorious, it wasn't like Renne didn't want to end her studies right then and there. She knew Naoto would be residing in Heimdallr for the next two months, but she figured spending a week or two in a certain training area would help them pass the time. Renne was still interested in staying at St. Astraia, at least for the next year.

Sherryl was another story though. She had to get back in touch with her remaining family, her older sister, in the coming month or two before Heimdallr would erupt into chaos. As to what would happen with Sherryl from then on remained to be seen.

"Ouroboros's Enforcer No. XV, The Angel of Slaughter. It's nice to meet you.", Renne said, formally introducing herself as a member of Ouroboros to Musse, causing her to remain silent.

"...", Musse tried to respond, but couldn't find the words to do so. Fie raised her eyes at Renne.

"So managed to accomplish what Naoto tasked you while we were on this ship last time huh?", Fie suddenly asked, causing Renne to stare at Fie.

"Oh right, I forgot I never told you either, but it's as you said~", Renne replied.

"I still find it a mystery of what Ouroboros is trying to achieve here. Just what are they trying to do being present in Erebonia? Aren't their current interests in Liberl?", Emma also wondered, trying to disregard Fie's remark about her chest earlier.

"Well, it's more observation if anything. After all, this land is going to descend into chaos in the coming month or two. Plus we're here to observe what's currently happening beneath Ordis.", A strange voice called out to the four girls. It took no time for Pater-Mater to reach the Glorious and descend onto the main deck, landing and turning his thrusters off.

"I had a feeling you'd show up, Campanella.", Renne said, squinting her eyes seeing the never-changing green haired boy before her. Still, disregarding Campanella's arrival on the main deck, Renne gracefully jumped off Pater-Mater.

"You're the one who requested a pick-up, No. XV. Is school already starting to bore you?", Campanella retorted with a playful grin.

"Please, it's going very well, thank you very much. I just figured it's time to advance the Gospel Plan a bit during this down time. Big Brother Loewe reported in, didn't he?", Renne said, rolling her eyes at the green-haired boy.

"Haha, that he did. Thanks to you guys unlocking the first gate, it definitely did pinpoint the direction of the primal ground. It wasn't until 'Lorence's' latest report from that idiot Colonel that this information was confirmed. I just didn't think the entirety of Valleria Lake would contain it.", Campanella responded, nodding at Renne's words. As Campanella said that, Emma took this time to jump down with Musse, who was still in a stunned state from everything that was happening to her. Fie followed suit and jumped down behind Emma.

"So that's where you are going with this change of scenery. We'll be heading to Liberl.", Emma said.

"Well, it's going to be a scouting party if anything.", Renne answered Emma with a motion of her hand.

"Still, I didn't think you'd be the type to pick up stray kittens like this.", Campenella said, shifting his gaze toward the green haired girl beside Emma, who was still in a daze.

"Eh, she said she wanted to get into His Highness's circle, so I figured I could test her aptitude. After all, I don't think there isn't a single person who is acquainted with him who doesn't know how to fight~", Renne replied with a playful smile of her own.

"Hmm, that does actually prove a point there. Such an unexpected connection.", Campanella mused after hearing Renne say that. Emma also grew interested in hearing her say that too, and after thinking for a moment even Emma reached the same conclusion. Whether it was here in Erebonia or back in Liberl, the people Naoto had formed connections with all knew how to fight in one way or another. If there was one exception to this, it would be Naoto's new fiance, Princess Alfin. Though not directly, she was in a battlefield of her own for having the title of Crown Princess and having to constantly deal with other nobles.

"Anyways, are the rest who were assigned to the other towers going to join us, Campanella?", Renne asked.

"Nah. Most went to join the Azure Abyss to see the results of what's happening beneath Ordis. As for the Direwolf though, it seems he's staying in Heimdallr for the time being, said it was a contingency plan or something, I couldn't care less. You came at a good time to go scout out that primal ground. Thanks to the lack of Enforcers, I decided to bring in another, a personnel change if you will.", Campenella

"Heehee, I heard you had interest in going on another training spree, Renne, so I decided to join in. I haven't seen the rest of you in a while.", A woman's voice called out to the group, only to have a shadowy blur drop down beside Campanella. It was a blueish-indigo haired woman with a rather big bust. Emma's chest was still growing but this girl's bust was still larger than Emma's, but her eyes softened seeing the group of girls arrive on the Glorious.

As for Renne, her eyes lit up as she entered a dash and gave a hug to the woman who arrived. Compared to the young girls before her, this woman appeared to be around eighteen years old now. She was four years older than Naoto at this point.

"It is you, Ennea! It really has been a good minute, hasn't it? I heard a report of you returning to your duties here, but didn't you stay by Her Highness's side back in Grancel for a while?", Renne said with a smile.

"I did, yes. But she's currently being safeguarded during her fencing training in Leiston. Plus she has a new guard attending her. There's been a bit of change in the castle since you've left Renne, but considering the free time I've had on hand, I figured I could move my body around a bit. Didn't think we're going to go into a primal ground though.", Ennea said, reaching her head out for a head pat, welcoming Renne. She hadn't seen Ennea and Fie in a good minute either, so she welcomed them as well, but equally became surprised seeing a new person in their group, one who obviously didn't belong here.